Lesson
lie, untruth, falsehood, fabrication, fib, white lieCORE MEANING: something that is not true
lie a false statement made deliberately;
He described the evidence of his accusers as "a pack of lies."
A police spokesperson declared that the allegation was "a blatant lie."
untruth something that is presented as being true but is actually false;
This young woman was clearly quite able to tell untruths when it suited her.
falsehood an intentionally untrue statement;
The account was full of inaccuracies, even falsehoods.
fabrication an invented statement, story, or account devised with intent to deceive;
She claims that the infamous Richard III of Shakespeare and history books is a Tudor fabrication.
fib (informal) an insignificant or harmless lie;
That's a fib! I know you haven't been sick.
white lie a lie not intended to harm, but told in order to avoid distress or embarrassment;
telling little white lies in order to avoid conflict
Why hadn't she told a white lie and said the color was flattering?
