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imposture

noun im·pos·ture \ im-ˈpäs-chər \

Definition of imposture

1 : the act or practice of deceiving by means of an assumed character or name
2 : an instance of imposture

See imposture defined for English-language learners

See imposture defined for kids

Examples of imposture in a Sentence

  1. He was accused of imposture.

Recent Examples of imposture from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imposture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of imposture

Late Latin impostura, from Latin impositus, impostus, past participle of imponere

Synonym Discussion of imposture

imposture, fraud, sham, fake, humbug, counterfeit mean a thing made to seem other than it is. 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
fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.
    • the diary was exposed as a fraud
sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.
    • condemned the election as a sham
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
humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.
    • creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public
counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.
    • 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

IMPOSTURE Defined for English Language Learners

imposture

noun

Definition of imposture for English Language Learners

  • : the act of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else

IMPOSTURE Defined for Kids

imposture

noun im·pos·ture \ im-ˈpäs-chər \

Definition of imposture for Students

: the act of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else

Learn More about imposture

  1. Nglish: Translation of imposture for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of imposture for Arabic speakers

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