Half-truth

A half-truth is a statement that is only partially true, often intended to deceive or mislead. It combines elements of truth with deliberate omissions, exaggerations, or misrepresentations to create a distorted impression. While some factual basis may exist, the overall message is skewed, designed to manipulate or persuade the audience by concealing crucial aspects of the reality. The impact of a half-truth is often greater than a complete lie, as it gains credibility through its semblance of honesty, while still causing confusion, misunderstanding, and the propagation of false narratives. It can be used to oversimplify, omit critical details, or emphasize selective information to support a particular viewpoint or agenda.

Half-truth meaning with examples

• The politician claimed a 'massive tax cut' without mentioning it primarily benefited the wealthiest citizens, a half-truth designed to garner support from middle-class voters. The omission of the impact on social programs was also a key element, misleading the public about the bill's true scope.
• A product advertisement stated 'clinical trials show improvement', but failed to mention the small sample size and short duration, making it a half-truth. The positive result without providing the full picture and the product’s limitations are misleading as they promote unsubstantiated claims.
• The defendant's lawyer presented evidence of the victim's past mistakes to suggest character flaws; this half-truth ignored the context of these mistakes and their relevance to the current charges, designed to undermine the victim's credibility and deflect guilt.
• During negotiations, the company representative shared financial data showing a slight profit increase, but omitted information about significant debt and projected future losses, creating a half-truth aimed at reassuring investors and preventing a stock sell-off.
• A historian's account of a battle focused on a single successful attack by one unit, creating a half-truth by omitting the heavy casualties and eventual strategic failure of the entire campaign, distorting the overall outcome and impact of the war.