(pronounced bih-LIE)

The easiest way to remember this word is to focus on the emphasized syllable: lie (as in falsehood, misrepresentation, fabrication, etc.). Why? This succinct little transitive verb means to present a false impression of, to contradict, to disguise, or to show something to be wrong.

Example: A stranger off the street would have supposed the client meeting to be going extremely well, but Jim knew better. His boss’s smiles and witty comments belied her simmering anger regarding the money their firm had lost on the project.