Is it called a lie when you refuse to answer a question that you know the answer to?

Answer 1

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No. A lie is defined as: "to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive." [Reference www.m-w.com.] Refusing to answer, answering incorrectly (but believing that you are telling the truth), etc. does not constitute a lie.

Whether you want to see it as a 'lie', you're withholding information that someone else is asking for. It will be apparent to the other person that you're doing so and they'll have reason not to trust you. Technically, no. This is referred to as the sin of "ommission," a scenario in which you could have done something but didn't. It depends on the situation. If you are in court, or being asked by a police officer in many states, Lying by omission is a crime. If you're talking about in a personal relationship type scenario, and you tell only part of the truth, I think its still a lie, because you are being deceitful knowingly.