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fake 1 of 3

Definition of fakenext
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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

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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

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
The four allegedly used a shell company and fake invoices to skim more than $1 million from donations. Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025 This question of what is real and what is fake seems key again today in the age of social media and fake news. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Things get even worse when Emily is told that her 1997 Fendi release from Nana is a fake. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025 The exhibition originated last year at London’s Japan House and became its most popular show ever—perhaps in part because shokuhin sampuru feel especially pertinent in a political-cultural environment that so often confounds the real and the fake. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
Montag and Pratt did indeed fake a breakup in 2011, as Bass' camp alleged. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026 Oregon successfully faked a punt on fourth down in the first half. Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
Adjective
  • Detectives from the Glendale Police Department said Auriona Lewis, 24 and Tatiyanna Foster, 26, allegedly used counterfeit $100 bills to purchase small orders and receive change.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Two people allegedly used $100 counterfeit bills at dozens of In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Southern California in a wide-reaching scam.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The women's beanie is highly functional, too, thanks to a blend of wool and synthetic materials that’ll take the chill out of biting days and perfectly stretch to fit your head.
    Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
  • One of the things that Patrick did to hint at the ending was creating this beautiful piece of music, while the girl is crying pearls, which was designed to be synthetic keyboard music.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The semi-annual sale includes so many elegant staples, such as mock-neck cardigans, jackets with unique embellishments, and comfortable pants that look super polished — all starting at just $20.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • She’s arrived early for her first shift and has already started the residents and med students on some training by way of mock codes.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • These ones elevate the trend — pun intended — with comfortable platform soles and double side stripe appliqués.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • McDonald's has made the Big Arch — a massive double-patty burger — a permanent menu item in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Trump has called the affordability argument from Democrats a Democratic hoax.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
  • While it was initially claimed that the letter was legitimate, it was later confirmed to be a cruel hoax.
    Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The president and his allies accused Cook of mortgage fraud.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
  • At the same briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt came out swinging at Minnesota Democrats in defense of the ICE agent while touting the Medicaid fraud investigation, which dates back to the Biden administration.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Both chambers are expected to forge ahead quickly in the coming weeks.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Remind yourself that clear communication can forge uncertainty into cooperation and closeness.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • To pretend as if everyone doesn’t recognize him.
    Mirin Fader, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Parents reported that their children loved playing with the original Nékojita FuFu, pretending to fan their faces and blow-dry their hair.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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