shameless lie

USAGE SUMMARY

"shameless lie" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a falsehood that is told without any sense of guilt or remorse. Example: "He told a shameless lie about his qualifications during the interview." Alternative expressions include "brazen falsehood" and "blatant untruth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Joseph Wu, a presidential spokesman, recently accused Beijing of killing 84 Taiwanese children five years ago with the "shameless lie" that it was looking after Taiwan's health.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I feel like somebody dropped me into a food processor," said my wife, whom I had coaxed onto the ride with a series of shameless lies.

The New York Times - Style

What might bring down other politicians only seems to make her stronger: the malapropisms and gaffes, the cut-and-run half-term governorship, family scandals, shameless lying and rapacious self-merchandising.

The New York Times

We of the forgotten 48% are surely more numerous today, now that Brexit's rudderless fiasco is becoming as obvious as the shameless lies earlier told by its advocates.

The Guardian

Losey, a master of downbeat Americana, burrows deep into the hidden intimacies of small-town life to capture a wide range of anxieties — the petty indignities and casual brutalities of childhood, the gnawing frustrations and shameless lies that await in adulthood — and presents the child's vulnerability as the existential condition of modern life.

The New Yorker

Shameless lies.

Huffington Post

Republican lies about the Obama healthcare plan should be no surprise to anyone with a memory: Full-throated, shameless lies, and accusing the opposition of their own sins, are the first things to hand in the right wing toolkit.

Huffington Post

MSNBC's Thomas Roberts should air this video on the network - in full - and come clean to his audience by calling out one of Donald Trump's statements as shameless lies to the American public.

Huffington Post

Since 1917, we, the Soviet people, have happened to hear and humbly swallow shameless, although senseless, lies of all kinds.

The Guardian - Opinion

For those of us who are old, Joseph McCarthy has clearly been reincarnated in the body and spirit of Ted Cruz, the junior Republican senator from Texas: same appearance (brooding, ominous), same curl of the lip, same shameless innuendoes and lies, same gigantic ego.

The New York Times

Hillary's lies are shameless and strident and form not so much an argument as a cascading aural sludge pile.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shameless lie" to describe a falsehood that is told without any sense of guilt or remorse. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the audacity or moral bankruptcy of the person telling the lie.

Common error

While "shameless lie" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more neutral alternatives like "false statement" or "untruth" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shameless lie" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "shameless" modifies the noun "lie". It intensifies the meaning of "lie", emphasizing the brazen and immoral nature of the falsehood. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is often used in contexts where deception is blatant and morally reprehensible.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shameless lie" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe a falsehood delivered without any semblance of remorse or guilt. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and it is a strong condemnation of a statement, emphasizing the speaker's lack of integrity. While its usage is infrequent, its presence in news and media outlets demonstrates its relevance in describing situations where deceit is particularly flagrant. Although acceptable in multiple contexts, it should be used sparingly in formal academic writing. Alternatives such as "barefaced lie" or "blatant falsehood" may suit various nuances and levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barefaced lie

Focuses on the audacity and lack of concealment in the lie.

blatant falsehood

Highlights the obvious and undeniable nature of the lie.

outright fabrication

Emphasizes that the statement is completely invented.

brazen deception

Highlights the boldness and impudence of the deceit.

flagrant untruth

Stresses the conspicuous and offensive nature of the lie.

unscrupulous fabrication

Emphasizes the lack of morals behind the invented statement.

egregious falsehood

Highlights the shocking and outstanding nature of the lie.

audacious prevarication

Focuses on the boldness and evasiveness of the lie.

bald-faced deceit

Similar to "barefaced lie" but uses "deceit" instead of "lie".

arrant untruth

Emphasizes the complete and utter nature of the falsehood.

FAQs

How can I use "shameless lie" in a sentence?

You can use "shameless lie" to describe a statement made with no regard for the truth or moral implications. For example, "The politician told a "shameless lie" about his past." or "His "shameless lie" was easily exposed by the evidence."

What phrases are similar to "shameless lie"?

Alternatives to "shameless lie" include "barefaced lie", "blatant falsehood", or "outright fabrication". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "shameless lie" and "white lie"?

A "shameless lie" is told without any sense of guilt and often for selfish gain, while a "white lie" is a minor lie told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or causing offense.

Is "shameless lie" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "shameless lie" can sound accusatory or judgmental. In formal writing, consider using more neutral phrases like "false statement" or "misrepresentation" unless you specifically want to emphasize the lack of remorse associated with the lie.