counterfeit 1 of 3

Definition of counterfeitnext

counterfeit

2 of 3

noun

counterfeit

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of counterfeit are fake, fraud, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

In what contexts can fake take the place of counterfeit?

The synonyms fake and counterfeit 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 is it sensible to use fraud instead of counterfeit?

In some situations, the words fraud and counterfeit are roughly equivalent. However, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

Where would humbug be a reasonable alternative to counterfeit?

The meanings of humbug and counterfeit largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than counterfeit?

The words imposture and counterfeit 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 counterfeit?

The words sham and counterfeit can be used in similar contexts, but 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 counterfeit
Adjective
One of the biggest concerns is that scammers will try to rip off fans with the sale of counterfeit items and services, including tickets to the 13 matches Mexico will host. Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2026 Police also arrested several people accused of selling counterfeit merchandise. Josh Margolin, ABC News, 7 June 2026
Noun
Greece, home to an extensive repository of cultural artifacts, has long contended with the proliferation of counterfeits and the looting of archaeological sites. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026 Superfakes is about a small-time Chinatown luxury counterfeit dealer who enters a dangerous black-market underworld in order to fund a life of suburban respectability for her family. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cannon, a star with the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders, admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Fraud’s Very Own Industrial Revolution Whether counterfeiting an ID or trying to trick victims into revealing their credit card details, fraud typically required high levels of human labor until very recently. Andrew Sever, Forbes.com, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeit
Adjective
  • Authorities say the operation powered fake websites built to steal credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • None of that makes the project fake.
    Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Harper finished with three hits, which included a solo shot, his 17th this season, and a double, giving him five extra base hits in the last two games.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • The right-hander surrendered a solo home run to left fielder Casey Schmitt and a run-scoring double to center fielder Drew Gilbert in the fourth, then put runners on the corners.
    Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • By probing his triple role as author, anthropologist and cult leader, the book asks why Americans hunger for seductive spiritual hoaxes.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
  • The Little Rock Zoo briefly stopped admitting visitors on Friday morning while authorities investigating a bomb threat that was found to be a hoax.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Meander through a lush, fairy-worthy tapestry of ivy and narrow pathways forged throughout the B&B's history.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
  • His mother, who came from a somewhat shady family (her father had been part of a coin-forging group whose ringleaders were arrested and beheaded), helped run the inn; his sister was twelve years older.
    Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Aegon, reeling from his brother’s betrayal and, likely, the early stages of opiate withdrawal, refuses to pledge (pretend) fealty to the Blacks and so Larys reveals Aegon’s identity.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • But for a little while in Pinehurst, a room full of journalists and a parking lot full of golf fans agreed to pretend otherwise.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to the department, at the time of the chase, Buban had multiple outstanding arrest warrants against him, including for being a felon in possession of a firearm, taking a vehicle without consent, false impersonation and petty theft.
    Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 19 June 2026
  • According to Peña, a producer relayed the false information to her through an earpiece during a live broadcast.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Pekec declined to say who filed the permit and did not provide NBC News with a copy.
    Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Created in 2003 by Kirkman and Cory Walker, and joined later by contributing creator Ryan Ottley, the award-winning Invincible comic series ran for 15 years in collaboration with Image Comics, spanning 146 issues and selling more than 6 million copies.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • What constitutes the crime is to phony up business accounting records to disguise the payments.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeit. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on counterfeit

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster