falsify

verb

fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying

transitive verb

1
: to prove or declare false : disprove
2
: to make false: such as
a
: to make false by mutilation or addition
the accounts were falsified to conceal a theft
b
: to represent falsely : misrepresent
3
: to prove unsound by experience

intransitive verb

: to tell lies : lie
falsifiable adjective
falsification noun
falsifier noun

Examples of falsify in a Sentence

He was caught falsifying financial accounts. taking that statement completely out of context essentially falsifies it, whether that's your intention or not
Recent Examples on the Web Smirnov was charged on Feb. 15 with making false statements to the FBI and obstruction for allegedly falsifying claims about the Bidens’ involvement with Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company. Cailey Gleeson, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The father was also found guilty of second-degree assault, witness tampering, falsifying physical evidence and abuse of a corpse, according to court proceedings. Nicki Brown and Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 Kodak Black has continued to run into legal trouble after President Donald Trump in 2021 commuted the three-year federal sentence the rapper had been serving for falsifying records while purchasing a weapon. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 Feb. 2024 Notably, one individual last September was ordered to pay $15 million in restitution after they were discovered to have falsified millions of dollars of personal expenses as deductible business expenses. William Gavin, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 On Thursday, a jury in New Hampshire found Adam Montgomery, 34, guilty of all five charges, including second-degree murder, second-degree assault, witness tampering, falsifying evidence and abuse of corpse, according to The Boston Globe, NBC Boston, and WMUR-TV. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 On Thursday, the jury found Montgomery guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, falsifying physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and tampering with witnesses and informants. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024 Destroying, altering, or falsifying records in a federal investigation carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2024 Prosecutors dropped eight other charges: two counts of falsifying records or documents in his disclosure reports to the FBI and six additional counts of concealing material facts or making false statements to investigators. Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'falsify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English falsifien, from Middle French falsifier, from Medieval Latin falsificare, from Latin falsus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of falsify was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near falsify

Cite this Entry

“Falsify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/falsify. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

falsify

verb
fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying
: to make false : change so as to deceive
falsify financial accounts
falsification noun
falsifier noun

Legal Definition

falsify

transitive verb
fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-si-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying
: to make false: as
a
: to make (as a document) false by mutilation, alteration, or addition
the motel clerk had falsified the recordsM. A. Kelly
b
: to report (as information) falsely
the informant falsified his testimony

More from Merriam-Webster on falsify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!