dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.
a swindle usually involves two dishonest people
deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.
the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse
mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.
mendacious tales of adventure
untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.
an untruthful account of their actions
Example Sentences
She gave dishonest answers to our questions. I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows
Recent Examples on the WebThere as here, words are placed in obvious counterpoint to images that plainly disprove them (and underscored with an irritatingly sarcastic music choice), all to serve the point that our narrator is self-evidently dishonest. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2022 Honesty and transparency about our country's history is imperative, shielding children is intellectually dishonest. The Opportunity Agenda, Forbes, 1 July 2022 Attorneys found to be dishonest on their bar applications have had their law licenses suspended for five months or more, recent cases show. Andrew Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 Companies will often argue that this is an abundantly sneaky and dishonest practice. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 There is a space to be more honest and aggressive in their language without dehumanizing and dishonest rhetoric. Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022 The sergeant who amended Crist’s report was found by investigators to have been dishonest.San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2022 Aden wrote that part of the consent decree’s mandate is to ensure officers are more uniformly disciplined and that officers who are found to be dishonest should, in most cases, be fired. Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 19 July 2022 The Good News: Just like ministers of Jesus Christ, do not be two-faced or dishonest for personal gain. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 11 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French deshoneste, from des- dis- + honeste honest