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fake

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noun

fake

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verb

1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
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
Here’s our response to the fake news: pic.twitter.com/3DSfTByY9C — The Kennedy Center (@kencen) June 3, 2025 Cooper’s statement also highlighted a new option the Kennedy Center is offering attendees. Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025 The now 95-year-old actor and director said a viral interview that ran of him in an Austrian publication calling out sequels and franchises is completely fake, as are any quotes attributed to him. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 2 June 2025
Noun
Read Next Florida Cops swap drugs in FL evidence for fakes, sell real stuff, feds say. Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Maybe the cows were fakes, or sold, moved somewhere or their tags were changed. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
One is suspected of stealing suitcases from the Lisbon airport and selling the contents online, and another allegedly faked the signature of a dead woman. Barry Hatton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 The second season delves into notorious Chicago serial killer H.H. Holmes, gunfighter Billy The Kid faking his own death, the sinking of the Titanic, and more. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
Adjective
  • These slippers are available in men’s and women’s sizes, and are designed with a suede upper and a plush faux fur lining that yields a buttery-soft feel.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 3 June 2025
  • The designer of the faux fur coat Lopez wore in the photos reportedly reposted the image.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Last month, federal agents seized 1,730 pounds of methamphetamine, 238 pounds of cocaine, 257 pounds of powdered fentanyl and about 360,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills from the home.
    Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • Bad actors are increasingly impersonating high-profile creators using fake accounts, deepfakes or counterfeit content to scam audiences.
    Murad Salikhov, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The couple misspelled words a few times during their mock challenge against him.
    Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 2 June 2025
  • Know the difference by testing candidates in mock sales situations.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • She was born in Massachusetts to Nigerian immigrants and, as a teen, was an exceptional figure skater: one who could land double axels with a practiced ease that betrayed the intense commitment behind them.
    Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • As Spain’s only double Oscar-qualifying animation festival, Animayo’s top honors serve as a launchpad to the Academy Awards.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Authorities determined the carjacking was nothing more than a hoax with a goal of quick cash by way of insurance fraud, sheriff officials said.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • And how a real video from Gaza led to claims of an AI hoax.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • What did Todd and Julie Chrisley go to prison for? After nearly a decade on air, the pair faced legal trouble for a number of bank and tax fraud offenses.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 28 May 2025
  • On Monday, the president pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff, who was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted on charges of conspiracy, fraud and bribery.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • In that role, Pullin forged new corporate partnerships.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
  • As cities like Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Doha, Qatar forge their own design heartlands and groom new talent, a rising number of Middle Eastern designers are tapping into the narrative of the Majlis in modern culture.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Scam warnings have been issued in multiple states over criminals pretending to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • And by the 1930s, some of the parties, particularly Nazi Germany, merely pretended to abide by treaty limits.
    Eric S. Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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