falsify

[fawl-suh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

falsified, falsifying 

1. to make false or incorrect, especially so as to deceive.

   to falsify income-tax reports.

2. to alter fraudulently.

3. to represent falsely.

   He falsified the history of his family to conceal his humble origins.

4. to show or prove to be false; disprove.

   to falsify a theory.

   Synonyms: controvert, confute, refute, discredit, rebut

verb (used without object)

falsified, falsifying 

1. to make false statements.

falsify

/ ˈfɔːlsɪˌfaɪ, ˌfɔːlsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

verb

1. to make (a report, evidence, accounts, etc) false or inaccurate by alteration, esp in order to deceive

2. to prove false; disprove

Other Word Forms

• falsification noun
• falsifier noun
• falsifiable adjective
• unfalsified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of falsify¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English falsifien, from Middle French falsifier, from Late Latin falsificāre; false, -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of falsify¹

C15: from Old French falsifier , from Late Latin falsificāre , from Latin falsus _false + facere to make

Synonym Study

See misrepresent.

Example Sentences

AlHusseini allegedly falsified records to inflate his assets to obtain the loans, and Sanberg concealed from investigators that he was the source for revenue that was recognized by the company.

From Los Angeles Times

Wright was convicted on Friday of lying to investigators about how much fuel was in the machine, as well as asking Mr Robinson, the injured pilot, to falsify flight records.

From BBC

In the letter he accused Cook of falsifying records to obtain a mortgage.

From BBC

It’s not only that the charge she falsified information on mortgage applications is unproven, or that even on their face the accusations are thinner than onion-skin paper.

From Los Angeles Times

In his Truth Social post, the president cited allegations that Ms Cook may have falsified records to obtain a mortgage.

From BBC

Related Words

• contradict 
• contravene 
• counterfeit 
• deceive 
• distort 
• exaggerate 
• fake 
• forge 
• misstate 
• pervert 
• tamper with