A deceptive, misleading or false notion or belief (noun)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “A deceptive, misleading or false notion or belief (noun)”? The solution is FALLACY, a 7-letter word built on the root FALL (“deceive, beguile, err”). It appeared in the August 16, 2026 (Sunday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
Answer
FALLACY
FALL***FALLmeans “deceive, beguile, err”
In a sentence
Beth's internist explained it is a FALLACY that everyone requires the same amount of sleep.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “A deceptive, misleading or false notion or belief (noun)” has the answer FALLACY (7 letters), built on the root FALL, which means “deceive, beguile, err”. Browse the full August 16, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.