pseudofact
Believable but untrue
A pseudofact is something presented as factual that isn't actually true or verified—a claim that wears the clothing of fact without the substance.
Unlike outright lies, pseudofacts often arise from sloppy research, wishful thinking, or repetition until believed: The article was riddled with pseudofacts about vaccine ingredients.
The term implies something more insidious than simple error—a false claim given unearned credibility.
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
canard · fabrication · distortion · misrepresentation · falsehood · untruth · misleading claim · viral lie
A false statement
- fallacyError in reasoning
- inaccuracyLack of precision
- falsityState of being incorrect
- misstatementIncorrect assertion of fact
erratum · fiction · invention · canard · counterfactual · apocryphal · debunked · discredited
Deliberately untrue statement
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- shamFraudulent imitation
counterfeit · fakery · imposture · trickery · con · masquerade · pretense · charlatanism
Superficially plausible but flawed
- believableAble to convince
- convincingAble to persuade
- verisimilarAppearing true or real
- plausibleAppearing worthy of belief
Unverified viral story
- old wives' taleUnfounded traditional belief
- folk beliefTraditional unverified cultural notion
- misconceptionErroneous belief or understanding
- common mythWidespread false belief
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
rumor · canard · fabrication · distortion · misrepresentation · falsehood · untruth · misleading claim · viral lie · conspiracy theory
untruth
A false statement
- fallacyError in reasoning
- inaccuracyLack of precision
- falsityState of being incorrect
misstatement · erratum · fiction · invention · canard · counterfactual · apocryphal · debunked · discredited · baseless
fabrication
Deliberately untrue statement
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
sham · counterfeit · fakery · imposture · trickery · con · masquerade · pretense · charlatanism · quackery
specious
Superficially plausible but flawed
- believableAble to convince
- convincingAble to persuade
- verisimilarAppearing true or real
urban legend
Unverified viral story
- old wives' taleUnfounded traditional belief
- folk beliefTraditional unverified cultural notion
- misconceptionErroneous belief or understanding