as in lie
a statement that is only partly true and that is intended to deceive people
I'm tired of all these half-truths—I want to know the real story.
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Recent Examples of half-truth
And the public is left drowning in a sea of hot takes and half-truths, trying to make sense of what—if anything—actually matters.
—
Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
True to the postmodern nature of DEI, the efforts to save it are a cacophony of half-truths, distortions, and downright lies.
—Ian Kingsbury, National Review, 22 Mar. 2025
Yet critics of American agriculture are spreading half-truths and outright lies.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Everybody is lying or telling half-truths the whole time in this show.
—Max Gao, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025
Related article Vance uses half-truths to lecture a European audience well aware of the threat of authoritarian rule
During this short period of whiplash, by the worst battlefield estimates, up to 5,000 troops have been killed or injured on the frontlines in Ukraine.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Tribune reporter Ronald Yates then revealed in 1976 that two witnesses were forced to tell half-truths and withhold vital information during Toguri’s trial.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
In his two days of hearings, Kennedy will offer excuses and half-truths, as well as full-on lies, anything to get approval.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
After the Los Angeles fires, lies and half-truths about California's water policies and the state's emergency response spread at breakneck speed.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
True to the postmodern nature of DEI, the efforts to save it are a cacophony of half-truths, distortions, and downright lies.
—Ian Kingsbury, National Review, 22 Mar. 2025
Yet critics of American agriculture are spreading half-truths and outright lies.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Everybody is lying or telling half-truths the whole time in this show.
—Max Gao, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025
Related article Vance uses half-truths to lecture a European audience well aware of the threat of authoritarian rule
During this short period of whiplash, by the worst battlefield estimates, up to 5,000 troops have been killed or injured on the frontlines in Ukraine.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Tribune reporter Ronald Yates then revealed in 1976 that two witnesses were forced to tell half-truths and withhold vital information during Toguri’s trial.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
In his two days of hearings, Kennedy will offer excuses and half-truths, as well as full-on lies, anything to get approval.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
After the Los Angeles fires, lies and half-truths about California's water policies and the state's emergency response spread at breakneck speed.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-truth
Noun
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Over the course of the game, hosted by the charming Peter Serafinowicz (The Tick), the cash changed hands a few times, lies were told, innocent people were voted out, and tears were shed.—
Jillian Sederholm,
EW.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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An outside investigation tied a Union County elected official to a controversial social media account accused of spreading lies.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The six-part podcast series unravels the twisted tale of Stover, his ex-wife, the heiress, and the bodyguard.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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The romance drama is billed as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
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Our goal this episode was ending certain stories in climactic ways, yet building a platform for the show to leap off.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Half-truth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-truth. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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