as in counterfeit
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the skeleton of the purported ancient hominid turned out to be a hoax
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
a skilled forger who hoaxed the art world into believing that the paintings were long-lost Vermeers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hoax
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
The Air Force took this case seriously under Project Blue Book, officially classifying it as ‘unexplained’ after finding no evidence of a hoax.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 10 June 2024
Such criticism has led some police to respond more aggressively to hoax school shooting calls.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Noun
Johnson was asked Tuesday about Trump describing the push for disclosures related to Epstein as a hoax.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
The Air Force took this case seriously under Project Blue Book, officially classifying it as ‘unexplained’ after finding no evidence of a hoax.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Doxxed addresses have led to hoax 911 calls that prompted SWAT teams to raid victims’ homes.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 10 June 2024
Such criticism has led some police to respond more aggressively to hoax school shooting calls.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoax
Noun
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The non-profit said more oversight could help other counterfeits from entering the country in the future.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Aug. 2025
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Zhang said more companies may face lawsuits from Pop Mart over Lafufus, but counterfeits might also decrease as Pop Mart ramps up its production.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Still, Genians suspects the Kimsuky group was able to develop a workaround, also known as jailbreak, to trick ChatGPT into creating the IDs.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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But in reality, deepfakes are getting better and the threat industry has many years of experience in honing lures to trick people, playing on emotions and overcoming natural suspicions and objections.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On the game-winning extra point, Notre Dame kept Luke Talich and Leonard Moore back to … protect against a fake?—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Unfortunately a recent deep fake has come in the guise of a friend.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Your press release isn’t fooling anyone.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Replacing Nina with a woman who has the same initials as her is not going to fool us!—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Exclusivo Mezcla Reversible Lightweight Quilt Set The Exclusivo Mezcla Quilt Bedding Set includes a reversible quilt and two matching pillow shams to tie the look together.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
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Pottery Barn offers matching shams with zipper closures, and both the quilt and shams are available on sale.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This requires honesty, particularly self-honesty, as leaders can deceive themselves with what seems like progress.—
Dmitry Malin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The band’s attorneys said that consumers could be easily deceived by the products allegedly sold on the marketplace, which could, in turn, cause reputational damage for Twenty One Pilots and its legitimate products.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The charges include several counts of forgery of name, using another person's identity, perjury and grand theft of personal property.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Von Ferdinand is charged with nearly three dozen counts, including forgery, identity theft and grand theft, while Alto faces eight counts, including perjury, forgery and identity theft.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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New Yorkers have always known exactly who Donald Trump is: a morally bankrupt phony who, despite his money and power, can’t even buy the respect of his home town.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Through a mixture of internet sleuthing, preternatural good taste and a willingness to do whatever is necessary, Matthew quickly elevates his way to becoming a creative and emotional sounding board for Oliver — even as the singer’s entourage increasingly looks at him as a phony.—
William Earl,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hoax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoax. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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