as in frauds
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
the famed faith healer turned out to be a charlatan
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of charlatans
Then give the land back, you pompous charlatans.
—
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The 21st century’s obstacles for young men—as seen in deaths of despair and lagging employment—have been amply publicized both by credible journalists and by charlatans such as Fuentes.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit taught us how to separate good science from the work of charlatans.
—Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
First up was Ben Shapiro, who described Tucker Carlson and others as grifters and charlatans, guilty of misleading their audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The 21st century’s obstacles for young men—as seen in deaths of despair and lagging employment—have been amply publicized both by credible journalists and by charlatans such as Fuentes.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit taught us how to separate good science from the work of charlatans.
—Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
First up was Ben Shapiro, who described Tucker Carlson and others as grifters and charlatans, guilty of misleading their audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charlatans
Noun
-
Their only inheritance is a legacy of two-bit crime that inspires them to run increasingly audacious frauds.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
The request was audacious, even by the standards of a man accused of one of the largest financial frauds in history.—
Jennifer Gould,
Air Mail,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Thirty-four years having passed since the last go-round, we are treated to such modern advances as catfishing, drones, deep fakes, social media and pushy true-crime podcasters.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
McKenna is extremely shifty with the puck, blending shoulder fakes into his playmaking.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Now, hardship seems to be an end in itself, a battle scar or badge of honor that distinguishes true backpackers from mere pretenders.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Time,
4 May 2026
-
This is where hype turns into hard numbers, and contenders start getting separated from pretenders.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shop deals on scalloped duvets and sheets, fringe shams, patchwork quilts, floral sheets, and more.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
Simple channel stitching and wrap-around flange add subtle texture, while two matching pillow shams complete the set.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2026
Noun
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But let’s circle back to TV‘s patron saint of affable, oft–insidious quacks.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Automatic ducking doesn't add quacks to your soundtrack.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Charlatans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charlatans. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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