half-truth
Americannoun
plural
half-truths-
a statement that is only partly true, especially one intended to deceive, evade blame, or the like.
-
a statement that fails to divulge the whole truth.
noun
Other Word Forms
- half-true adjective
Etymology
Origin of half-truth
First recorded in 1650–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Add to that social media and its capacity to spread innuendo, half-truth, fabrication and common ignorance.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 16, 2024
Some of those are relatively harmless; using this half-truth to explain Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating habits primarily hurts DiCaprio, who hardly needs our sympathy.
From Slate • Nov. 27, 2022
I think it’s worth exploring at what point a half-truth is more dangerous than a lie.”
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2022
Not for him the mealy-mouthed half-truth, the small evasion.
From Salon • Apr. 24, 2020
“We’re too different,” she said finally, choosing a half-truth.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
