FAKE Synonyms: 325 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fake 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfāk

Definition of fake next

as in faux

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials opposed to the unnecessary killing of animals, she'll consider wearing only fake furs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in counterfeit

being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud arrested for peddling "designer" watches that were fake

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as in mock

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality the boss's pitiful attempts at humor were met with fake laughter

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as in double

not being or expressing what one appears to be or express the fake friendliness of the sales rep made me want to gag

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fake

2 of 3

noun

as in hoax

an imitation that is passed off as genuine experts declared that one of the museum's prized paintings was actually a fake

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original

as in fraud

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise a hidden-camera investigation revealed that the so-called psychic was a fake

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fake

3 of 3

verb

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

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as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of while running for class president, Dan was not above faking friendship with people just to get their votes

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as in to concoct

to perform, make, or do without preparation if you give me the gist of the plan, I can probably fake enough for the speech

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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

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For

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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

inaccurate news

incorrect news

untruthful 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

Example 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

Fraudsters use caller ID spoofing to make their fake calls seem legitimate. —

PCMAG, 15 Feb. 2025 When the purchase is eventually canceled, the delivery worker unknowingly returns to the pharmacy with the fake medication. —

Flávia Milhorance, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

Noun

Especially in this world where there's going to be full deep fakes... —

Cherie Brooke Luo, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 Travel fakes like this appear to be on the uptick in 2025. —

Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025

Verb

At perhaps the furthest extreme, Lau allegedly falsified account statements, including once faking a balance of over $13 million when that account only had $25 in it. —

Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2025 The hottest topic figures to be what to do about teams faking injuries to slow down opposing offenses. —

Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fake

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake

Adjective

Bertrand wore an oversize faux fur coat and a green gradient suit jacket from KidSuper.

— Mikelle Street, WWD, 14 Feb. 2025
The Koolaburra Ugg Milos resemble other Ugg slippers on our list with the soft suede upper and faux fur lining.

— Chaunie Brusie, RN, Parents, 13 Feb. 2025