half-truth

[ haf-trooth, hahf- ]

noun

, plural half-truths [haf, -troo, th, z, hahf, -].

1. a statement that is only partly true, especially one intended to deceive, evade blame, or the like.
2. a statement that fails to divulge the whole truth.

half-truth

noun

1. a partially true statement intended to mislead

Derived Forms

• ˈhalf-ˈtrue, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of half-truth¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

While Trump and allies seized on the announcements, the state's top election official, Republican Al Schmidt, has urged caution and warned voters to be aware of "half-truths" and disinformation circulating on social media.

From BBC

Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State, Al Schmidt, said “spreading videos and other information that lack context and sharing social posts with half-truths and even outright lies is harmful to our representative democracy”.

From BBC

"In short, you say truths, outright lies and half-truths in the middle, with an equal amount of enthusiasm and sincerity at all times," said Ms Riesman.

From BBC

Initial sessions tend to be colored by weeping, hesitancy and half-truths as the clinician and client get a feel for each other.

From Salon

Arrested for theft on his 17th birthday, he told police “one glib lie after another” and developed “a fool-proof technique: tell near-truths, half-truths, but never the whole truth.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cover-up
• deceit
• deception
• dishonesty
• distortion
• fabrication
• fakery
• fallacy
• falsity
• misstatement
• perjury
• prevarication
• sham
• tall tale
• untruth