A canard is a deliberately false or misleading story, rumor, or statement, typically spread as if it were true. It's often created or circulated to deceive, manipulate, or amuse. Canards often have a specific purpose, whether political, social, or personal, and may be spread through various channels like gossip, news, or social media. Their impact can range from minor confusion to significant public disruption or damage to reputations. The term implies an element of deception or trickery.
Canard meaning with examples
- The newspaper's investigation revealed the 'expose' to be a carefully crafted canard, designed to smear the candidate. The details were sensational but lacked any factual basis, relying on anonymous sources and misinterpreted data. It was a blatant attempt to sway public opinion. After the truth was revealed, the publication faced significant criticism and a lawsuit for defamation of character.
- The viral tweet about the celebrity's arrest was nothing more than a cruel canard, fabricated to generate clicks and outrage. The information was easily disproven with a quick search, but the damage was already done as it spread rapidly online. The celebrity's publicist released a statement condemning the canard, and legal action against the original source was threatened.
- The historical accounts about the inventor being a fraud and the scientific theory being completely false were, upon rigorous review, proven to be a canard. They were spread by rivals to damage his reputation and prevent the rapid adoption of his theories. The canard successfully slowed the spread, but its influence was limited to a few critical scientists.
- During the political debate, the opposing candidate launched a canard about the incumbent's financial dealings, falsely accusing them of corruption. The false claim caused a temporary distraction, but the incumbent was able to quickly and completely refute the canard, damaging the challenger's credibility and boosting the incumbent's polling numbers.
Canard Synonyms
deception distortion fabrication falsehood fib fiction hoax lie misinformation prevarication rumor sham urban legendCanard Antonyms
accuracy fact genuineness honesty reality truth veracityCanard Crossword Answers
3 Letters
LIE
4 Letters
HOAX
11 Letters
FABRICATION