What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dishonest
Example
He was dishonest about his qualifications on his resume. [dishonest: adjective]
Example
The company engaged in dishonest business practices to gain an advantage over their competitors. [dishonest: adjective]
untruthful
Example
She was untruthful about her whereabouts last night. [untruthful: adjective]
Example
His testimony was deemed untruthful by the court. [untruthful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dishonest is more common than untruthful in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dishonest and untruthful?
Dishonest is more formal than untruthful, which is more commonly used in informal contexts.
