1
[ adjective ] not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

Examples

"gave false testimony under oath" "false tales of bravery"

Used in print

(William G. Pollard, Physicist and Christian....)

We are left helpless to cope_with it because we do not dare speak of it as anything real for fear that to do so would imply a commitment to that which has already been discredited and proved false .

(Schubert Ogden, Christ Without Myth....)

Thus , if what is at_issue is whether `` All S is P '' , it is indifferent whether `` Some S is not P '' or `` No S is P '' , since in either case the judgment in_question is false .

(Jack Kaplan, "The Health Machine Menace: Therapy by...)

Authorities believe that many_of the Doctor Frauds using these false health gadgets are still in business .

(Edward P. Lawton, "Northern Liberals and Southern...)

The North should thank_its_stars that such has been the case ; but at_the_same_time it should not draw false inferences therefrom .

(Brand Blanshard, "The Emotive Theory," Robert...)

If it could be shown that judgments of good and bad were not judgments at_all , that they asserted nothing true or false , but merely expressed emotions like `` Hurrah '' or `` Fiddlesticks '' , then these wayward judgments would cease from troubling and weary heads could be at_rest .

2
[ adjective ] arising from error

Synonyms

mistaken

Examples

"a false assumption" "a mistaken view of the situation"

Used in print

(William G. Pollard, Physicist and Christian....)

We are left helpless to cope_with it because we do not dare speak of it as anything real for fear that to do so would imply a commitment to that which has already been discredited and proved false .

Related terms

incorrect

3
[ adjective ] deliberately deceptive

Synonyms

hollow

Examples

"hollow (or false) promises" "false pretenses"

Related terms

insincere

4
[ adjective ] designed to deceive

Examples

"a suitcase with a false bottom"

Related terms

dishonest

5
[ adjective ] inaccurate in pitch

Synonyms

sour off-key

Examples

"a false (or sour) note" "her singing was off key"

Related terms

inharmonious

6
[ adjective ] not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

Examples

"it isn't fake anything it's real synthetic fur" "faux pearls" "false teeth" "decorated with imitation palm leaves" "a purse of simulated alligator hide"

Related terms

artificial

7
[ adjective ] inappropriate to reality or facts

Synonyms

delusive

Examples

"delusive faith in a wonder drug" "delusive expectations" "false hopes"

Related terms

unrealistic

8
[ adjective ] adopted in order to deceive

Examples

"an assumed name" "an assumed cheerfulness" "a fictitious address" "fictive sympathy" "a pretended interest" "a put-on childish voice" "sham modesty"

Related terms

counterfeit

9
[ adjective ] erroneous and usually accidental

Examples

"a false start" "a false alarm"

Related terms

invalid

10
[ adverb ] in a disloyal and faithless manner

Examples

"he behaved treacherously" "his wife played him false"

11
[ adjective ] inaccurate in pitch

Synonyms

sour off-key

Examples

"a false (or sour) note" "her singing was off key"

Related terms

inharmonious

12
[ adjective ] (used especially of persons) not dependable in devotion or affection; unfaithful

Synonyms

untrue

Examples

"a false friend "when lovers prove untrue"

Related terms

inconstant

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