Mendacious

Adjective

Definition: Lying; habitually dishonest.

Synonyms: Deceitful, False, Untrue, Dishonest

Antonyms: Truthful, Honest, Sincere

Examples:

The witness gave a mendacious account of the events.
His mendacious nature made it difficult to trust him.

Mnemonics:

Think of the word "mend" which means to repair or fix. "Mendacious" refers to someone who needs to mend their honesty.
"Mendacious" sounds like "mend a saga," suggesting the idea of someone dishonestly fixing or altering a story.

Etymology:

Origin:

Derived from the Latin word "mendāx" meaning "lying" or "false."

Historical Usage:

The word "mendacious" has been used in English since the 17th century to describe people or statements that are deliberately deceptive or untruthful.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Mendacious tongue"

Explanation:

Refers to someone who habitually tells lies or is known for their deceitful nature.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "mendacious" with "mendicant," which means a beggar or someone who lives by asking for charity.

Explanation:

While "mendacious" and "mendicant" sound similar, they have different meanings. "Mendacious" relates to dishonesty, while "mendicant" refers to someone who begs for a living.