alternative fact
Dressed-up untruth
Alternative fact is a euphemism for a lie or falsehood, particularly one asserted by political figures in the face of contradicting evidence.
The phrase gained currency in 2017 when a White House spokesperson used it to defend demonstrably false claims about inauguration crowd sizes.
It now appears sarcastically to mock obvious untruths presented as legitimate disagreements: Sure, he's six feet tall—that's an alternative fact.
Deliberate falsehood
- untruthA false statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
- misstatementIncorrect assertion of fact
fib · whopper · tall tale · canard · invention · perjury · half-truth · white lie
Coercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- demagogueryManipulative political rhetoric
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
state media · official narrative · newspeak · doublethink · gaslighting · thought control · censorship · echo chamber
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
urban legend · conspiracy theory · hoax · viral lie · correction · retraction · misbelief · bad information
Structural or contextual shaping
- narrativeAccount of events
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
- slantOblique angle or bias
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
interpretation · spin doctor · public relations · messaging · talking points · reframing · damage control · optics
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- untruthA false statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
misstatement · fib · whopper · tall tale · canard · invention · perjury · half-truth · white lie · mendacity
brainwashing
Coercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- demagogueryManipulative political rhetoric
manipulation · state media · official narrative · newspeak · doublethink · gaslighting · thought control · censorship · echo chamber · filter bubble
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
myth · urban legend · conspiracy theory · hoax · viral lie · correction · retraction · misbelief · bad information · error
framing
Structural or contextual shaping
bias · interpretation · spin doctor · public relations · messaging · talking points · reframing · damage control · optics · deflection
alternative facttruth
Accordance with reality
fact · reality · objective truth · plain truth · gospel truth
alternative, fact, alter, alternate, alteration, altered, altering, alternately, alternation