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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of hoax
Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
This is not the first time such hoaxes have spread on social platforms, however.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2023
Related:Teen jailed after bomb threat hoax AirDropped to American Airlines passengers in El Paso The passenger was traveling with a companion and both were unharmed, though their clothes were soiled with food and wine.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Noun
The hoax continued until 2019, when a close friend sent an anonymous tip to investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello, who spent five years unraveling the lie.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
This is not the first time such hoaxes have spread on social platforms, however.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
Advertisement How aspiring Indian entrepreneurs and students were hoaxed in the quest for funding The World Startup Convention was originally scheduled for Jan. 14-16., before it was postponed to March 24-26.
—Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2023
Related:Teen jailed after bomb threat hoax AirDropped to American Airlines passengers in El Paso The passenger was traveling with a companion and both were unharmed, though their clothes were soiled with food and wine.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoax
Noun
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Cases of counterfeits have been rare, but with prices rising into the six- and seven-figure range, obtaining that certified guarantee is important.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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Thousands of counterfeit forever stamps were blocked from entering postal circulation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Alabama, officials said.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Phishing works by tricking the user, with no reliance on any particular operating system or browser.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
7 Mar. 2025
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Here are some alternative snacking options that can help trick your brain into feeling full.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Once the actor put a razor to his upper lip, Donner ripped off his own mustache — a fake.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
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The first is social engineering, using impersonation and deep fakes to trick an employee into giving up sensitive information.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Look for the producer, grape variety, region, and vintage, and don’t be fooled by flashy words.—
Emily Price,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Also, unlike its many imposters (and there are many similar looking wireless lamps out there, so don’t be fooled), the Poldina comes with a 1-year warranty on the battery and a 2-year warranty for any defects.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The set comes with two shams and a woven quilt that feels smooth and comfortable to sleep under all year round, according to shoppers.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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The breakdown of democracy in the United States will not give rise to a classic dictatorship in which elections are a sham and the opposition is locked up, exiled, or killed.—
STEVEN LEVITSKY,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Despite providing historical records and even materials for a documentary on Bad Boy Entertainment in 2021, Burrowes says he was once again deceived and left unpaid for his contributions.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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Photo : Volkswagen No, your eyes do not deceive you, a Volkswagen did earn itself a spot on the list of the greatest luxury vehicles of all time.—
Raphael Orlove,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Rickey Juarez, 64, Chicago, was arrested Jan. 18 and accused of forgery after attempting to withdraw $1,000 Jan. 18 from an out-of-state resident’s account at Tech Credit Union, 11051 79th St., with a fake driver’s license, police said.—
Dennis Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
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Noble also sued the property’s actual owner, claiming that the man’s deed was a forgery.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
18 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
Cite this Entry
“Hoax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoax. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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