impostor

noun

im·​pos·​tor im-ˈpä-stər How to pronounce impostor (audio)
variants or imposter
: one that assumes false identity or title for the purpose of deception

Examples of impostor in a Sentence

He claimed he was an experienced pilot, but he turned out to be an impostor. the man who claimed to be a prince turned out to be an impostor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Reframe: From Proving To Exploring Breaking free from the impostor myth isn’t about proving more. Neerja Bhatia, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 The impostors then stole two hot dogs and menaced the vendor with a knife before taking off on Seventh Ave., heading toward 44th St. Cops took one man into custody following the heist, and are looking for a second person dressed in a red hoodie, black pants and black and white sneakers. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025 While there was an important sliver of redemption — the impostor did, in the end, stumble into some spiritual meaning that carried over to generations of Gemstones — the gold Bible had been a threat all season, representing the truth about a family tree with rotten roots. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 May 2025 And the ones who haven’t probably are impostors. Deepen your worldview with Monitor Highlights. Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impostor

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin impostor, from Latin imponere

First Known Use

1564, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impostor was in 1564

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impostor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impostor. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

impostor

noun
im·​pos·​tor
variants or imposter
: a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive

Legal Definition

impostor

noun
im·​pos·​tor
variants or imposter
: one that assumes a false identity or title for the purpose of deception : impersonator

More from Merriam-Webster on impostor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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