mendacious
UK: menˈdeɪʃəs | US: menˈdeɪʃəs
adj. deliberately untruthful; lying or deceitful by nature.
mendacious = mend<false> + acious<adjective suffix>
- mend<false>: Derived from Latin mendax (lying, false), related to mendum (fault, defect).
- acious<adjective suffix>: From Latin -āx (tending to), forming adjectives indicating a propensity or tendency.
Etymology Origin:
The word mendacious traces back to Latin mendax, meaning "lying" or "false," which itself stems from mendum (a fault or defect). The suffix -acious (via Latin -āx) intensifies the root, creating an adjective that describes a habitual tendency toward deceit. The evolution reflects a logical progression: from the concept of "fault" to "falsehood" and finally to a sustained disposition for lying.
The politician's mendacious statements were quickly debunked by fact-checkers.
She gave a mendacious account of her whereabouts to avoid suspicion.
His mendacious nature made it hard for anyone to trust him.
The tabloid published a mendacious story to attract more readers.
Detectives saw through the suspect's mendacious alibi during interrogation.