half-truth

noun

1
: a statement that is only partially true
2
: a statement that mingles truth and falsehood with deliberate intent to deceive

Examples of half-truth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Peeling through the case's deceptive veneer, Harper encounters a web of seduction and half-truths that challenge her discernment. Travis Bean, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 But some remain in the show itself, roiling its mixture of absurdities and half-truths. M.d. Rodrigues, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024 But this is a half-truth, and not the more interesting half. Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Information is the ultimate weapon against whispers and half-truths. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2023 The council president characterized the recent controversy as political mudslinging involving half-truths and falsehoods. John Benson, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2023 That was before Wisconsin became a hotbed of conspiracy theories that the 2020 election had been stolen from Donald Trump, before election officials across the country saw their lives upended by threats and half-truths. Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 15 June 2023 What remains of the now-childless couple’s relationship is sustained by half-truths and hollow promises, spoken into pay phones along the road. Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 June 2023 To reiterate — because there are many half-truths circulating — La Sombrita is not a bus shelter. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of half-truth was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near half-truth

Cite this Entry

“Half-truth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-truth. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

half-truth

noun
-ˌtrüth
: a statement that is only partly true
especially : one that deliberately mixes truth and falsehood

More from Merriam-Webster on half-truth

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