mendacity
/mɛnˈdæs.ɪ.ti/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Mendacity means the quality of being untruthful or dishonest. It is a formal word, often used in writing or speech about morals, politics, or character.
- The report exposed his mendacity.
- She disliked the mendacity of the campaign.
- His mendacity damaged the team's trust.
Adinary Nuance
Mendacity is more formal than simple words like lie or lying. It is also stronger and more judgmental than dishonesty, because it suggests a habit or character trait. Writers use it when they want to sound serious, critical, or literary.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự dối trá
- Spanish
- mentira
- Chinese
- 虚伪
- Japanese
- 虚偽
- Korean
- 허위
Etymology
Mendacity comes from Latin mendacitas, from mendax meaning “lying.” It entered English in the early 17th century.
Common phrases
political mendacitya culture of mendacitymendacity in public life
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is mendacity a common word in everyday English?
- No, it is not common in casual conversation. You will see it more in formal writing, news, or criticism.
- What is the difference between mendacity and dishonesty?
- Dishonesty is broader and more everyday. Mendacity sounds more formal and often suggests repeated or intentional lying.
- Can I use mendacity in IELTS writing?
- Yes, but use it carefully. It sounds advanced and formal, so it fits opinion essays and analytical writing.
- Is mendacity a positive or negative word?
- It is strongly negative. It criticizes a person or group for being untruthful.