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fake

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noun

fake

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verb

1
as in to counterfeit
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive pranksters faked giant footprints and then claimed that they had seen Bigfoot

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
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as in to evade
to elude (an opponent in a sports contest) by making a deceptive or agile movement the running back faked the defense by stepping to his left and then quickly cutting to the right

Synonyms & Similar Words

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fake documents
counterfeit documents
falsified documents
fraudulent documents
phony documents
bogus documents
a fake identity
a falsified identity
a fraudulent identity
a counterfeit identity
a fictitious identity
a feigned identity
fake news
bogus news
phony news
a fake smile
an inauthentic smile
a feigned smile
a hollow smile
a counterfeit smile
a phony smile

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fake different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fake are counterfeit, fraud, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When could counterfeit be used to replace fake?

The meanings of counterfeit and fake largely overlap; however, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When is fraud a more appropriate choice than fake?

The synonyms fraud and fake are sometimes interchangeable, but fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

In what contexts can humbug take the place of fake?

While the synonyms humbug and fake are close in meaning, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When is it sensible to use imposture instead of fake?

The words imposture and fake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

When would sham be a good substitute for fake?

Although the words sham and fake have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fake
Adjective
The social media company faced harsh criticism about fake news and Russian election interference on its platforms after the 2016 election. Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2025 But following formulas and copying influencer tactics seems fake. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
Ensuring Indigenous art is authentic requires a full staff to stem a tsunami of fakes Counterfeit art smuggled from overseas is a huge concern in the Native art world. Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024 YouTubers are used to carefully scanning supposed offers to weed out the real ones from the fakes. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
The novel, published in 1997, the year after Holland was born, follows a junior partner at a law firm who steals $90 million from a wealthy client, fakes his own death and flees to Brazil. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025 But when the initial concept struggled, the duo faked bank records and continued to woo investors, creating what eventually became a Ponzi scheme. Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fake 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
Adjective
  • Just take a look at her Coachella style, filled with faux furs and rhinestones.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The faux marble top is easy to clean but still gives your room a high-class vibe.
    Christopher Murray, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Over 30 online retailers were identified in the report identified as engaged in selling counterfeit products.
    Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Potential trade tariffs between Eastern and Western governments could prompt a surge in counterfeit products as markets adjust.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Most current mock drafts have Shedeur landing somewhere in the top three picks, which makes sense considering there are a ton of quarterback-needy teams.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
  • But the upper stage will do something new on Flight 7, deploying 10 mock satellites — inactive versions of SpaceX's Starlink broadband craft — which will follow Ship's suborbital trajectory and splash down in the Indian Ocean as well.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Wallace’s fourth victim, Audrey Spain, and his seventh, Vanessa Mack, were killed in almost identical fashion — with double ligatures, says Price, who was lead detective on the Spain case.
    Michael Gordon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Living double lives, find themselves on a treacherous path where escape may be impossible.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Meta's fact-checking works by Meta staff identifying hoaxes or by using technology that detects posts likely to contain misinformation.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Enron Egg is a hoax from a parody company of the same name.
    Leslie Katz, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Previous installments examined fraud in local governments, police vetting requirements and the water crisis in Kansas.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Americans encounter about $56 billion in fraud each year, the NSC said.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, six search and rescue teams forged ahead, systematically looking through every building that was destroyed by the fire.
    Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
  • But like those, Polestar has been given the autonomy to stand on its own two feet and forge its own identity.
    Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Jordan Binnington can pretend to want to fight all three American goalies at the same time.
    Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Tips On How To Coexist With American Crocodiles By Anna Skinner Senior Writer, General Assignment 0 Some on social media are sharing their opinion on some behavior by crocodiles, worrying that the reptiles are pretending to drown to lure humans into the water, although experts have discounted this.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near fake

Cite this Entry

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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