1
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
my friends faked me out for a whole day, letting me think that they had forgotten my birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to evade
to elude (an opponent in a sports contest) by making a deceptive or agile movement
used a quick between-the-legs dribble to fake out the flat-footed defender
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fake out
This opening fake out is a direct lift from the book.
—
Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
One of the most unusual cases handled during his tenure was filed in April against 12 people accused of designing and running a decade-long scheme to fake out California’s smog check system for automobiles, Talbert said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
Bilodeau faked out Bittle while driving for a dunk only to have his shot blocked by point guard Keeshawn Barthelemy.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Jokic faked out multiple Cavs defenders in transition by turning his head toward an open Murray on the left wing, only to fire a no-look pass to Christian Braun under the basket.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fake out
Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
One of the most unusual cases handled during his tenure was filed in April against 12 people accused of designing and running a decade-long scheme to fake out California’s smog check system for automobiles, Talbert said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
Bilodeau faked out Bittle while driving for a dunk only to have his shot blocked by point guard Keeshawn Barthelemy.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Jokic faked out multiple Cavs defenders in transition by turning his head toward an open Murray on the left wing, only to fire a no-look pass to Christian Braun under the basket.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fake out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake out
Verb
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Be Wary of Phishing Emails and Texts After a breach, scammers may impersonate the affected company to trick you into clicking malicious links.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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She was tricked by the very devilish Zeus, who broke his way into many marriages.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Security scrutinized: Suspect eluded officers protecting Shapiro Balmer started fires while troopers searched Troopers were able to safely evacuate Shapiro's family and others in the mansion, but the fire raises the question of how Balmer was able to evade security.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
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Most of these are fine goals, and some (such as finally terminating the university’s efforts to evade a Supreme Court–ordered end to its use of race discrimination in admissions) ought to be uncontroversial.—
The Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Then, as if anyone was fooled, the talk show host pulled off his hat, wig and snap-on nose and lip piercings and Sheeran pulled of his wig to reveal his signature carrot top to shouts of joy.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
9 Apr. 2025
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But don't let the name fool you, Murderbot isn't actually the frightening story of a dangerous security robot.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There’s no faking things with the man from north New Jersey.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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The stress of pretending to be a big film director, and having to fake knowledge of Sritala’s filmography with zero briefing from Rick, sends Frank leaping off the wagon so quickly, the wagon may as well have been drenched in whiskey and set on fire.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But as, as the brilliant evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller notes, our capacities to judge competence have evolved, so too have our capacities to deceive others about it.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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And Ken claims to be a man of faith but uses fake Uber accounts to meet his girlfriend and deceive his family.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Critics have argued Putin is not interested in a lasting peace in Ukraine, with some Democrats suggesting the Trump administration is being strung along while Moscow makes gains on the battlefield.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
31 Mar. 2025
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Richard’s Motel Studios — all strung along South Federal Highway just south of Young Circle.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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They're made of a Lycra spandex that wraps around and sucks in the waist, covering the belly button and giving you full butt coverage.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2025
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To clarify, engaging your core and sucking in your stomach are two entirely different actions.—
Dana Solomon,
Outside Online,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fake out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake%20out. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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