fib 1 of 3

noun

ˈfib How to pronounce fib (audio)
Definition of fibnext
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive the claim that everyday living would be impossible without at least a few innocent fibs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fib

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to lie
to make a statement one knows to be untrue fibbed and said that he had remembered to water her plants while she was away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fib

3 of 3

verb (2)

British
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly the two drunken pub crawlers proceeded to fib each other senseless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fib differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fib are equivocate, lie, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When might equivocate be a better fit than fib?

The synonyms equivocate and fib are sometimes interchangeable, but equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When is lie a more appropriate choice than fib?

While the synonyms lie and fib are close in meaning, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

Where would palter be a reasonable alternative to fib?

The words palter and fib are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How are the words prevaricate and lie related as synonyms of fib?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fib
Noun
One fib could land him in jail with the rest of his flunkies. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 May 2024 Before her family shows up to meet this mystery man at her birthday party, can Aaliyah find the right one to turn that big fib into reality? —Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024
Verb
While SharkNinja’s claims may seem outrageous, the company might not actually be fibbing. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2023 One survey concluded that one in four Americans who claimed to floss regularly was fibbing. —Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for fib 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fib
  1. lie
  2. tale
  3. story
Noun
  • Blocks of alabaster, limestone, granite and marble lie about in the brown grass.
    Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 19 Nov. 2024
  • The site was for sale after Jones lost a $1.4 billion defamation suit against the families of children killed in the Sandy Hook massacre — which Jones continually spread lies about — forcing him into bankruptcy.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Definition of lie
Noun
  • In my book, the catalogue of tales that spring from Thanksgiving easily rival those of Christmas.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 27 Nov. 2024
  • The Memory Palace by Nate DiMeo (Random House: $33) A collection of offbeat tales from American history. … Paperback fiction 1.
    The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Definition of tale
Noun
  • One lesson for kindergartners about the Golden Rule, for example, centers on how Jesus taught the rule during his Sermon on the Mount, along with a story from the Jewish Torah.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of story

Thesaurus Entries Near fib

fiats

fib

fibbed

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Fib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fib. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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