Definition

The act of lying or making false statements while under oath, especially in a court of law.

Example

He was charged with perjury after lying about his whereabouts during the trial.

Conversation

Did you hear about the case that got thrown out because of perjury?

Yeah, it's crazy how someone would lie under oath like that.

I mean, it can really ruin someone's life, right?

Absolutely, perjury is a serious crime and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Perjury → It is formed from "per-" (meaning through or completely) and "jurare" (meaning to swear). The word refers to the act of completely swearing falsely, especially in a legal context.

Memory Tip

Think of someone swearing completely ('per-') to something that is not true ('jurare'). This helps you remember that perjury means to lie under oath.

Visually Confused Words