counterfeit 1 of 3

counterfeit

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noun

counterfeit

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verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of counterfeit are fake, fraud, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

In what contexts can fake take the place of counterfeit?

The synonyms fake and counterfeit are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is it sensible to use fraud instead of counterfeit?

In some situations, the words fraud and counterfeit are roughly equivalent. However, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

Where would humbug be a reasonable alternative to counterfeit?

The meanings of humbug and counterfeit largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than counterfeit?

The words imposture and counterfeit 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 counterfeit?

The words sham and counterfeit can be used in similar contexts, but 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 counterfeit
Adjective
The European Commission cited a need to ensure product safety in imports, stop counterfeit goods and prevent unfair competition. Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025 The agency also published a guide for awareness of counterfeit goods in e-commerce that can be found at cbp.gov. Renan Botelho, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
Some critics allege that U.S. research security is still not properly defending American science and technology against theft or counterfeit by rivals. Mark Zachary Taylor, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025 That confirms what Srinivasan and others believe about the future of battling counterfeits. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
Personal digital verification relies on biometric data and secure identity systems, which are nearly impossible to counterfeit. Glen Robinson, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 Along with Husk and Bob Mathews—the founder of a murderous underground white supremacist guerrilla outfit that counterfeited money and robbed banks and armored cars, played by Nicholas Hoult—The Turner Diaries is the third major character in The Order. Ali Winston, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for counterfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeit
Adjective
  • This fake news gave white authorities the pretense to quash Black organizing and control Black labor.
    Christmaelle Vernet & Kathy Roberts Forde / Made by History, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The reports that have gone viral on social media are fake news.
    Natasha Dye, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Bernardo Kastrup, a double Ph.D. in Computer Engineering and Philosophy and former CERN scientist, has propounded this thinking and collaborated with leaders like Dr. Faggin.
    Carlo Tortora Brayda, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike the Arizona’s double buckle, this style is designed with an adjustable single strap.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • What To Know Trump has long been skeptical of renewable energy, as well as global warming, dubbing this a Chinese hoax in 2012.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Naya Tuiasosopo, his relative, orchestrated an elaborate hoax that duped Notre Dame football star Manti Te’o into believing an online girlfriend that actually never existed had died.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • President Trump and Elon Musk have forged ahead with an aggressive plan to downsize the federal government, with Musk using his Department of Government Efficiency to reduce personnel, cancel contracts and halt aid to organizations.
    Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • But should the White House recoil from the Five Eyes, the remaining members could forge ahead with beefing up bilateral agreements on intelligence sharing between individual countries.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Too many leaders pretend to listen, nodding along in meetings but failing to take action.
    Mark Murphy, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Pride, drama, politics There’s no point in pretending AFCON is perfect.
    Phil Hay, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • He had been apprehended while attempting to flee to Dubai using a forged Costa Rican passport, a move that also landed him a prison sentence in Montenegro for document fraud.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Being caught with a fake means risking anything from a simple fine to a charge of criminal possession of a forged instrument, necessitating a lawyer and several court appearances.
    Kaja Andric, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The latter case was especially alarming because, like a lot of classic films and shows, the title isn’t available as a digital copy.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In total, the series has sold almost three million copies worldwide and garnered critical acclaim, with Children of Blood and Bone being featured as one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time, a New York Times Notable Children’s Book, and a Kirkus Prize Finalist, among other distinctions.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • What constitutes the crime is to phony up business accounting records to disguise the payments.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
  • In fact, legislators and regulators are rolling back regulations designed to protect investors, who in this case are estimated to have lost $100 billion to phony Chinese firms.
    Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 29 Mar. 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Counterfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeit. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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