counterfeit 1 of 3

counterfeit

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noun

counterfeit

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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
The rule has been exploited by bad actors to import counterfeit products, illicit drugs like fentanyl and other harmful goods, according to CBP officials. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025 Clicking the link usually takes you to a counterfeit login page that looks almost identical to the real Google sign-in screen. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
Albanese said counterfeits can look remarkably genuine, even to longtime collectors. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025 This is an area that is increasingly important in the secondary whisky market, as counterfeits become ever-more sophisticated. Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
When he was arrested in November, Jackson was in a car with another person, where Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies also found a printer and counterfeit $2, $5, $10, $20 and $100 bills. Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025 Victoire uses her natural talent for counterfeiting to forge paper. Jamie Lang, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeit
Adjective
  • The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert earlier in 2025 to encourage parents to talk to their children about the risks associated with responding to a fake text.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
  • To make Reen feel comfortable and truly welcomed, Long’s entire extended family wore fake tattoo sleeves to the reunion.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With Ella Toone or Park in the No 10 role, the former Bayern Munich player will add balance in a double pivot alongside Hinata Miyazawa allowing United more control in midfield.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Royals’ defense erased a potential rally in the fourth inning after Cameron surrendered a double to Rengifo and walked first baseman Oswald Peraza.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Air Force took this case seriously under Project Blue Book, officially classifying it as ‘unexplained’ after finding no evidence of a hoax.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This is not a hoax, Marina Lacerda, another of the survivors, said.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nick's inability to forgive Noah creates what appears to be an impenetrable​ barrier between them​, with ​each focused on forging their own professional ​paths.
    Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Laura Lee Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, was charged with five felonies, including perjury, procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, casting a ballot when not entitled to vote and registering a non-existent person to vote.
    Riley Hoffman, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The challenge is to stop pretending the current tools give full control and start demanding real visibility.
    Jagadeesh Kunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Kelley susses out that Göring is pretending not to understand or speak English, and for a couple of scenes that gives the shrink a leg up.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Representatives for James have called the fraud claims made against her politically motivated and false.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • On the next play, Taylor was called for a false-start penalty.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The panel's agenda for Tuesday's meeting includes a copy of the citizen complaint.
    Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The worst was yet to come, in the shape of the Baines note, a copy of which was forwarded to the Queen.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
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
  • In fact, legislators and regulators are rolling back regulations designed to protect investors, who in this case are estimated to have lost $100 billion to phony Chinese firms.
    Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 29 Mar. 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Counterfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeit. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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