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
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Recent Examples of hoax
Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
The latest: Miami brands and local governments made up some creative hoaxes yesterday to celebrate April Fool's Day — and some of you believed them.
—Martin Vassolo, Axios, 2 Apr. 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
Edited clips circulated online, and a journalist reported the hoax as fact, seriously harming the client's business and reputation.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
The latest: Miami brands and local governments made up some creative hoaxes yesterday to celebrate April Fool's Day — and some of you believed them.
—Martin Vassolo, Axios, 2 Apr. 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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On counterfeits, the color is almost always wrong, usually a highlighter shade of yellow instead.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
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Marcus Ray Chavez, 30, gave the girl counterfeit pills containing fentanyl on at least four occasions between September and November of 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Attackers often trick users into unknowingly running malware this way. 4.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
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In April, the comedian shared that he had been tricked by someone pretending to be the group’s manager while trying to arrange a bit involving actor Richard Kind and a pet tortoise.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
Noun
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People will either fall for fakes—or doubt the truth.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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When the computer was seized, in November, creating digital fakes was not yet considered a crime.—
Tiffany Hsu,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Prosecco may be Italy’s most joyful export—bubbly, bright, and effortlessly charming—but don’t let its easygoing nature fool you.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Don't let his three Emmy nominations and his more than 10 million Instagram followers fool you, Pedro Pascal is a man of the people.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Pottery Barn Outlet Bedding Deals There are plenty of deals on comfortable quilts, cozy comforters, and shams in the Pottery Barn bedding sale section.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2025
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Quince often has Bundle & Save offers for up to 25% off select clothing and bedding sets with hotel-quality sheets, duvets, and shams.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Even children who are online only in small doses likely see false or inaccurate information that might deceive them.—
Evan Orticio,
Scientific American,
2 June 2025
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In November, Dove pleaded guilty in Gaston County to a dozen felony charges related to illegally accessing police computer systems and helping someone deceive a polygraph test, The Gaston Gazette reported.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Noun
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According to the attorney general, other charges included drug possession, evidence tampering and forgery.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
2 June 2025
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The Romans had laws against forgery in 80 BC, and people have been doctoring photos since the medium's invention.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 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 11 Jun. 2025.
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