impostor

noun

im·​pos·​tor im-ˈpä-stər 

variants or imposter

: one that assumes false identity or title for the purpose of deception

Synonyms of impostor

• fake
• fraud
• pretender
• sham
• deceiver
• faker
• charlatan
• mountebank
• actor

Examples of impostor in a Sentence

He claimed he was an experienced pilot, but he turned out to be an impostor.

the man who claimed to be a prince turned out to be an impostor

Recent Examples on the Web

When news of Israel’s secret outposts in Iraq’s desert emerged, Iraqis admonished their leaders as traitors, and the boisterous militiamen affiliated with the government as impostors for allowing their land to be colonized by an enemy. —Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026

These scams often include government impostors, direct deposit fraud, phishing, identity theft, payment redirection and social media scams. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026

The 2025 major league impostors did not win a series until June. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026

The impostors have been presenting themselves as representatives of the Texas Department of Insurance's Division of Workers' Compensation. —Doug Myers, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin impostor, from Latin imponere

First Known Use

1564, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing impostor

• impostor syndrome

Rhymes for impostor

• exhauster
• imposter
• coster
• roster
• zoster

Kids Definition

impostor

noun

im·​pos·​tor

variants or imposter

im-ˈpäs-tər 

: a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive

Legal Definition

impostor

noun

im·​pos·​tor

variants or imposter

im-ˈpäs-tər 

: one that assumes a false identity or title for the purpose of deception : impersonator