humbug 1 of 2

noun

ˈhəm-ˌbəg How to pronounce humbug (audio)
Definition of humbugnext
1
as in hoax
an imitation that is passed off as genuine tests showed that the "old" map of America was a cleverly made humbug

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2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense those UFO stories are a lot of humbug

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3
as in fraud
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise one humbug after another claimed to be the miraculously surviving daughter of the Russian czar

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humbug

2 of 2

verb

as in to fool
to cause to believe what is untrue humbugged into believing that the bones were the skeleton of a prehistoric human being

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of humbug are counterfeit, fake, fraud, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When would counterfeit be a good substitute for humbug?

Although the words counterfeit and humbug have much in common, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When might fake be a better fit than humbug?

The synonyms fake and humbug 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 can fraud be used instead of humbug?

The words fraud and humbug are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could imposture be used to replace humbug?

The words imposture and humbug can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is sham a more appropriate choice than humbug?

While in some cases nearly identical to humbug, 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 humbug
Noun
Well then, the author cannot be blamed for what might be called the worldwide humbug over the robots. —IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 Mean One features David Howard Thornton, known for playing Art the Clown in the Terrifier movies, as a familiar-looking green-skinned humbug in a Santa suit, living on a mountain high above the small town town of Newville. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 July 2023
Verb
In its verb form, to be humbugged is to be deceived or be the victim of a hoax. —Elizabeth Wolfe and Douglas S. Wood, CNN, 21 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for humbug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbug
  1. hoax
  2. nonsense
  3. fraud
  4. fool
  5. counterfeit
  6. nuts
  7. sham
  8. trick
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
Definition of hoax
Noun
  • Beyond that, the show is mostly content to amble along, loping toward the green and from time to time indulging in odd bits of nonsense.
    — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 4 June 2025
  • Yet Towns has proven, one moment at a time, that reputation, that narrative is a bunch of nonsense.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
Definition of nonsense
Noun
  • More than £46 billion in loans had been disbursed by various lenders through the scheme, according to the Department for Business and Trade, but the agency also admitted there had been more than 100,000 cases of loss due to fraud and error.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • 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
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of fool
Noun
  • On counterfeits, the color is almost always wrong, usually a highlighter shade of yellow instead.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of counterfeit
Noun
  • Use it to find and retrieve stray nuts or bolts in any crevice.
    — Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Without that pollination, almond trees produce only 200 pounds of nuts per acre.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of sham
Verb
  • Attackers often trick users into unknowingly running malware this way. 4.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
  • 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
Definition of trick

Browse Nearby Words

humbly
humbug
humbugged
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Cite this Entry

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

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