untruthfulness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "untruthfulness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality of being untruthful or dishonest. Example: "The untruthfulness of his statements raised doubts about his credibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Second, lying requires that the person believe the statement to be false; that is, lying requires that the statement be untruthful (untruthfulness condition).

SEP

According to the untruthfulness condition, lying requires that a person make an untruthful statement, that is, make a statement that she believes to be false.

SEP

Against the untruthfulness condition of L1 it has been objected that an untruthful statement is not necessary for lying.

SEP

According to the untruthfulness condition, it is sufficient for lying that the person who makes the untruthful statement intends that the addressee believe the untruthful statement to be true; it is not necessary that the addressee believe the untruthful statement to be true.

SEP

The media is accused of all manner of offences: of elitism, and also of populist sensationalism; of untruthfulness, and also of an exaggerated zeal for truth about the president.

The Economist

They blamed the "untruthfulness" of Nafissatou Diallo, the hotel maid who made the charges.But prosecutors are unequivocal that the evidence "conclusively establishes that the defendant engaged in a sexual encounter with the complainant".

The Economist

The three bad emotions (ill will, envy, and untruthfulness) give the leśyā a bitter taste, harsh or dull colour, a smell that can be likened to the odour of a dead cow, and a texture rougher than the blade of a saw.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We are not quite sure why this is, but untruthfulness or the fact that men tend to have lower rates of STIs are possibilities," said Gaydos, who says follow-up research is planned to increase accuracy of the quiz for both men and women.

Independent

When I asked them to give me examples of her lies, they were at a loss, but adhered to their conviction of her untruthfulness.

The New Yorker

One can see a sensitive insight into Treslove's melancholia quickly crash into a pile of untruthfulness, because Jacobson cannot take his foot off the exaggeration pedal: He was a man who ordinarily woke to a sense of loss.

The New Yorker

In this time of untruthfulness, let me say: I do not desire money, nor a life of ease, But rather the forgiveness of God and His grace.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethics or character, consider using "untruthfulness" to highlight a specific instance or pattern of dishonesty, rather than simply stating someone is a liar.

Common error

Avoid using "untruthfulness" to describe unintentional errors or misunderstandings. Reserve it for situations where there is a clear intent to deceive or misrepresent the truth.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "untruthfulness" is that of a noun. It denotes the quality or state of not being truthful. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in discussing ethical issues and assessing character, describing a situation or the quality of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "untruthfulness" is a noun that denotes the state or quality of not being truthful. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. As illustrated by Ludwig, the phrase carries a neutral tone and is suitable for formal discussions, though simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual settings. When using "untruthfulness", it's crucial to differentiate it from unintentional errors and reserve it for situations involving a clear intent to deceive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dishonesty

Focuses on the moral aspect of not being honest.

Untruth

A more direct and concise way of saying something is not true.

Deceitfulness

Emphasizes the act of deceiving or misleading someone.

Falsehood

Highlights the quality of being untrue or false.

Duplicity

Suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal the truth, often involving betrayal.

Prevarication

Implies evasion or deviation from the truth.

Fabrication

Refers to creating something untrue, often a story or excuse.

Misrepresentation

Focuses on presenting something in a false or misleading way.

Lack of veracity

Emphasizes the absence of truth or accuracy.

Insincerity

Highlights the lack of genuine feeling or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "untruthfulness" in a sentence?

"Untruthfulness" functions as a noun, referring to the state or quality of not being truthful. For example, "The investigation revealed a pattern of "untruthfulness" in his testimony."

What's the difference between "untruthfulness" and "dishonesty"?

While both terms relate to a lack of truth, "untruthfulness" specifically highlights the quality of not being true, whereas "dishonesty" often implies a moral failing or deliberate deception. In practice, they're often interchangeable.

Are there situations where using "untruthfulness" might be inappropriate?

Using "untruthfulness" might be overly formal or accusatory in casual conversation. In such cases, simpler terms like "lying" or "not being truthful" might be more suitable.

What are some synonyms for "untruthfulness"?

Synonyms for "untruthfulness" include "falsehood", "deceitfulness", "dishonesty", and "insincerity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.