mistruths
Statements lacking veracity
Mistruths is a plural of mistruth, a somewhat euphemistic term for lies or falsehoods.
The word suggests deliberate deception while sounding softer than "lies": The report was riddled with mistruths.
Politicians and their critics favor the term, perhaps because it sounds more measured than accusing someone of lying outright.
Deliberate falsehood
- fibTrivial, harmless falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
whopper · tall tale · white lie · misstatement · prevarication · inaccuracy · distortion · exaggeration
Deliberate deception for effect
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- shamFraudulent imitation
trickery · subterfuge · duplicity · chicanery · guile · artifice · ruse · feint
Manipulation causing self-doubt
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- obfuscationDeliberate concealment through confusion
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- denialRefusal to accept reality
stonewalling · equivocation · evasion · double-talk · weasel words · spin doctoring · damage control · cover-up
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- misreportingConveying facts inaccurately
- false claimUntrue assertion presented seriously
conspiracy theory · urban legend · old wives' tale · misinterpretation · speculation · factoid · pseudofact · alternative facts
Rapid rotation around axis
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- narrative controlAuthority over storytelling direction
- demagogueryManipulative political rhetoric
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
state media · talking points · doublespeak · newspeak · messaging · party line · revisionism · whitewashing
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- fibTrivial, harmless falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
falsehood · whopper · tall tale · white lie · misstatement · prevarication · inaccuracy · distortion · exaggeration · canard
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
sham · trickery · subterfuge · duplicity · chicanery · guile · artifice · ruse · feint · sleight
gaslighting
Manipulation causing self-doubt
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- obfuscationDeliberate concealment through confusion
- deflectionChange in trajectory
denial · stonewalling · equivocation · evasion · double-talk · weasel words · spin doctoring · damage control · cover-up · backpedaling
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- misreportingConveying facts inaccurately
false claim · conspiracy theory · urban legend · old wives' tale · misinterpretation · speculation · factoid · pseudofact · alternative facts
spin
Rapid rotation around axis
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- narrative controlAuthority over storytelling direction
- demagogueryManipulative political rhetoric
psyops · state media · talking points · doublespeak · newspeak · messaging · party line · revisionism · whitewashing · loaded language
- misinformationdisinformation, fake news, falsehoods, hoaxes, lies
mistruthstruths
Accurate statements about reality
facts · verities · realities · actualities · gospel truth