false witness
Sworn courtroom lie
False witness is testimony or statements that are untrue, particularly when given under oath or in a formal setting where truth is expected.
The term comes from biblical language—"Thou shalt not bear false witness"—and retains a solemn, often legal or moral register.
To bear false witness against someone is to lie about them, typically in ways that damage their reputation or standing.
The accusation of bearing false witness carried serious consequences in the trial.
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- slanderSpoken false defamation
defamation · libel · calumny · prevarication · mendacity · disinformation · accusation · allegation
Formal binding promise
- swornBound by formal promise
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- affidavitSworn written statement
cross-examination · trial · prosecution · defendant · jury · verdict · subornation · indictment
Authoritative rule to obey
- ExodusMass departure from a place
- DeuteronomyFifth Torah book
- scriptureSacred religious writings
- sinViolation of divine law
transgression · neighbor · moral law · prohibition · covenant · Mosaic · thou shalt not · injunction
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
slander · defamation · libel · calumny · prevarication · mendacity · disinformation · accusation · allegation · distortion
oath
Formal binding promise
- swornBound by formal promise
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
affidavit · cross-examination · trial · prosecution · defendant · jury · verdict · subornation · indictment · felony
commandment
Authoritative rule to obey
- ExodusMass departure from a place
- DeuteronomyFifth Torah book
- scriptureSacred religious writings
sin · transgression · neighbor · moral law · prohibition · covenant · Mosaic · thou shalt not · injunction · testimony
shame
Painful awareness of failure
scandal · disrepute · discredit · tarnish · blemish · reproach · ignominy · humiliation · opprobrium · condemnation
- Torah lawsTen Commandments, Sabbath observance, kosher laws, dietary laws, tefillin
- falsehoodslie, lies, lying, fib, fibbing
- honestyhonesty, truthfulness, candor, sincerity, dishonesty
- lies & deceptionlies, fibs, whoppers, tall tales, white lies
- commandmentsTen Commandments, no other gods, honor thy parents, honor parents, no stealing
- false accusationswrongful accusation, bum rap, frame-up, frameup, framing
false witnesstruthteller
One who speaks honestly
honest broker · character witness · advocate · vindication · testament
false, witness, falsehood, attest, witnesses, testify, falsify, falsified, falsification