What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lying
Example
He was caught lying about his whereabouts last night. [lying: verb]
Example
She is known for lying about her achievements to impress others. [lying: gerund or present participle]
falsehood
Example
The politician's speech was full of falsehoods and exaggerations. [falsehood: noun]
Example
He accused her of spreading falsehoods about him to ruin his reputation. [falsehood: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lying is more commonly used than falsehood in everyday language, as it is a more versatile term that can be used in various contexts. Falsehood is more formal and less common, often used in legal or political contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between lying and falsehood?
Falsehood is a more formal term than lying, and is typically used in legal or political contexts. Lying is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
