variants
or imposter
as in pretender
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
the man who claimed to be a prince turned out to be an impostor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impostor
While that may have been the case, the country’s oligarchs have unwittingly turned this volatile impostor into a folk hero whose power may not diminish even outside the chancellor’s sphere of influence.
—
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2024
The only people who never feel like impostors are the real impostors.
—Melody Wilding, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Which was presumably not difficult to do after Daniela, having at last discovered that the man sleeping in her bed for the past month was an impostor, bonked Jason B on the head and shoved him down the basement stairs.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 June 2024
The prospective mystery series follows Sonny, a teenager who wakes up in the hospital after a car accident to discover that his mom — his only parent, and his best friend — appears to have been replaced by an impostor.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impostor 
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2024
The only people who never feel like impostors are the real impostors.
—Melody Wilding, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Which was presumably not difficult to do after Daniela, having at last discovered that the man sleeping in her bed for the past month was an impostor, bonked Jason B on the head and shoved him down the basement stairs.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 June 2024
The prospective mystery series follows Sonny, a teenager who wakes up in the hospital after a car accident to discover that his mom — his only parent, and his best friend — appears to have been replaced by an impostor.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impostor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impostor
Noun
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John Elway was considered a postseason pretender when his Denver Broncos were annihilated in three Super Bowls over a four-year stretch, then finished his career by snagging the franchise’s first two championship rings.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Every decision carries weight, and in a league where the line between contender and pretender is razor-thin, there’s little room for error.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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One who comes to her full power when she is exiled by a charlatan, by a cruel leader.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
26 Nov. 2024
-
The good, sincere members would flourish and the charlatans, the folks who over-promise to their constituents, would not.—
Gary Franks,
Boston Herald,
20 Jan. 2024
Noun
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Even Doncic appeared slighted by the trade after writing a farewell note to Mavericks fans just hours after the trade, which some believed was a fake on social media when reports dropped, became official.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
3 Feb. 2025
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Everyone hates tourists:Here's how to be a better traveler Travel fakes exposed:Simple steps to protect your trip – and your wallet Why going into debt to travel is crazy The allure of a picture-perfect vacation, often fueled by social media, can quickly lead you astray.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The actor’s preferred language is English, and Thai is his second language, but Thapthimthong said White had scripted Gaitok as having been born and raised on Ko Samui, and never having left the area.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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Then there’s Mackie, the coolest actor Marvel has hired this side of Robert Downey Jr.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Gould observed that Jerry Falwell had taken up the mountebank’s mission of William Jennings Bryan.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
26 July 2024
-
Now, this pallid Color Purple epitomizes the artistic dearth of an era when a cultural mountebank like Winfrey uses race and feminist guile to cheat us of America’s most creative achievements.—
Armond White,
National Review,
3 Jan. 2024
Noun
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Milla — a young woman who feels disillusioned by doctors that treat her like a recalcitrant child, directing even conversations about her treatment to her father instead of her — finds false security in quacks selling enemas and juice cleanses.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Feb. 2025
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Trump’s Insane Clown Posse Cabinet is very close to being filled with a cadre of fools and quacks, goons and thugs.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For a Gen X-er raised on movies that skewered phonies and wannabes, the thought of being a poser was, in the end, far more offensive to his sensibilities than being potentially bland.—
Rachel Syme,
The New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2024
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The answer is important because being a phony is hard work.—
LaRae Quy,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The memorandum also directs the DOJ to engage in prosecutions under laws meant to prevent fraud and criminal conspiracies against the U.S. government.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Feb. 2025
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Trump and Vice President JD Vance have emphasized that cuts to Social Security and Medicare are largely off the table except for fraud and abuse.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impostor
Cite this Entry
“Impostor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impostor. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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