adverb
Uncommon
falsely
Falsely (adverb) means In a manner that is not true or accurate. Example: “He was falsely accused of theft.”
adverb
1
In a manner that is not true or accurate.
"He was falsely accused of theft."
How to use falsely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone in a way that is untrue or mistaken.
Common pairings
falsely accused
falsely claim
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more falsely
- Superlative
- most falsely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was _____ accused of theft.
Etymology
Came into English via Middle English falsly, falsliche; equivalent to false + -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for falsely
See all rhymes for falsely →Frequently asked questions
What does “falsely” mean?
The word “falsely” means in a manner that is not true or accurate. In plain terms, done in a way that is untrue or mistaken.
How do you use “falsely” in a sentence?
Here is “falsely” used in a sentence: “He was falsely accused of theft.”
What is the opposite of “falsely”?
The opposite of “falsely” — its antonyms — is honestly.
What part of speech is “falsely”?
“Falsely” is an adverb.
Is “falsely” a common word?
“Falsely” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between falsely and wrongly?
Falsely specifically means in a manner that is not true or accurate, often implying a deliberate untruth, such as being falsely accused. Wrongly can mean incorrectly or mistakenly without necessarily implying dishonesty, so falsely carries a stronger suggestion that the inaccuracy involves deception or a false claim rather than simple error.
What are common collocations with falsely?
Falsely is frequently used with verbs like accuse, claim, believe, and imprison, as in falsely accused of a crime or falsely imprisoned. These collocations highlight situations where someone is wrongly blamed or something untrue is asserted as fact.
What is the difference between falsely and mistakenly?
Falsely means in a way that is not true or accurate, and often implies the false statement was made knowingly or carries serious consequences, as in falsely accused. Mistakenly implies an honest error without any suggestion of deception, so mistakenly is generally softer and less accusatory than falsely.
