the mendacious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the mendacious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is deceitful or dishonest. Example: "The mendacious politician was caught in a web of lies that ultimately led to his downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

With the cool cat away, the mendacious mouse would play.

The New Yorker

The Cribs hate the mendacious rigamarole of the music industry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I do lean towards the delusional rather than the mendacious," he said.

The Guardian

They add, using the mendacious gerund beloved of such projects, "creating neighbourhoods for the future".

The Guardian - Arts

(The "mendacious" part was rich, given that the Mail had admitted that the story was untrue and paid Grant damages).

The New Yorker

At the time, they were making light of the mendacious production figures and absurd propaganda of the Soviet system.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

At the Information Ministry, destroyed by American cruise missiles about halfway through the war, the most mendacious and corrupt officials were often the ones most intent on offering lectures about truth.

The New York Times

Each is simply playing a role — Mendelssohn, the abstracted researcher; Glass, the mildly mendacious striver; Cliff, the shambling but handsome ninny; Robin, the harridan.

The New York Times - Books

So why would I have preferred to see the most feckless -- if not the most mendacious or simply the most ignorant -- secretary of state in the history of this country take the podium on the Banks of the Raritan?

Huffington Post

From the Pied Piper to Neil Gaiman's Coraline, via the extravagantly mendacious Count Olaf in the Series of Unfortunate Events, children are never safe.

The Guardian

The media of the "international community" have, till recently, had no qualms at accepting the patently mendacious excuses for the western invasion of Iraq with its slaughter of hundreds of thousands and the uprooting of millions, the tearing up the Geneva conventions and the impudent western adoption of torture and kidnapping as instruments of government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the mendacious", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is being described as deceitful, as the term itself can sound somewhat formal or literary. For instance, "the mendacious politician" is a common construction.

Common error

Avoid using "the mendacious" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly pretentious or out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "the lying" or "the dishonest" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the mendacious" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a person or entity characterized by deceitfulness or untruthfulness. It often appears in contexts where there's an intention to highlight the deceptive nature of the subject, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the mendacious" is a noun phrase used to describe someone or something untruthful. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, common and it frequently occurs in news and media contexts. It serves to criticize or condemn, and its formality is considered neutral. The examples showcase effective use in various scenarios, with options for more informal alternatives like "the deceitful" available for casual settings. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is correct to use in written english.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the deceitful

Replaces "mendacious" with a more common and straightforward term for deceit.

the untruthful

Emphasizes the lack of truthfulness in a person or statement.

the lying

A more direct and blunt way to describe someone who tells lies.

the dishonest

A general term for lacking honesty and integrity.

the false

Focuses on the inaccuracy or incorrectness of a statement or claim.

characterized by mendacity

Replaces the adjective with a more formal noun phrase.

prone to lying

Highlights a tendency or habit of telling lies.

given to falsehoods

Implies a habitual inclination to make false statements.

the duplicitous

Emphasizes the element of deception and hidden motives.

the prevaricating

Highlights the act of avoiding the truth or speaking evasively.

FAQs

How to use "the mendacious" in a sentence?

You can use "the mendacious" to describe a person or thing that is untruthful or dishonest. For example, "The article exposed "the mendacious" claims made by the company".

What can I say instead of "the mendacious"?

You can use alternatives like "the deceitful", "the untruthful", or "the dishonest", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the mendacious" or "mendacious"?

"The mendacious" is generally used as a noun phrase, referring to a person or thing characterized by mendacity, while "mendacious" alone is an adjective. For instance, you might say "He is "mendacious"" or "He is "the mendacious" one."

What's the difference between "the mendacious" and "the deceitful"?

While both terms describe a lack of truthfulness, "mendacious" often carries a stronger connotation of intentional deception and cunning than "the deceitful".