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
Also known as package confusion, this form of attack was first demonstrated in 2021 in a proof-of-concept exploit that executed counterfeit code on networks belonging to some of the biggest companies on the planet, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla included. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025 During the search, investigators also found counterfeit federal documents belonging to Guerra's boyfriend, who shares two children with the woman. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
In February, the agency seized 1,815 shipments containing over $525 million worth of counterfeits. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 14 Mar. 2025 Amazon uses artificial intelligence and other technology to continuously monitor listings on its site for potential counterfeits and non-compliant products. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles regularly updates the design and security measures of its driver’s licenses to stay ahead of counterfeiting techniques. Kaja Andric, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 Earlier this year, French, Italian, and Swiss police forces teamed up to bust a ring of wine fraudsters who were selling counterfeited Grand Cru wines (the premier designation of quality in French wine) for up to €15,000 a bottle. Chris Hall, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for counterfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeit
Adjective
  • YouTube has further cracked down on fake movie trailer channels.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 12 May 2025
  • This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Kornet, who nearly recorded a triple double (10 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks) in Game 5 was late on rotations.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
  • The Knights started quickly as shortstop Aubrey Evans led off the bottom of the first with a double to deep left.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • For more on Sherri Papini's kidnapping hoax, subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday.
    Johnny Dodd, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • For every intentionally funny moment, there seems to be another joke at someone’s expense, such as Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie needing 40 seconds to (mostly) name his eight kids or Rams defensive end William Hayes insisting dinosaurs are a hoax, but mermaids are real.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump could be the right leader to forge compromise.
    J. Tedford Tyler, Time, 17 May 2025
  • Work smarter not harder Many new CE leaders overestimate their internal ability and capacity to forge new partnerships to improve supply chains.
    London School of Economics, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • An investigation revealed the teen had corresponded online with an individual pretending to be a 20-year-old woman, later identified by authorities as Kassi.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
  • And by the fourth, all that remained was an empty row of houses, merely pretending to be homes.
    Jessica Guerrieri, People.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • China also makes more large cast and forged products—including landing gear, engine components, brakes, turbine disks, and fan blades—than the next nine countries combined.
    MICHAEL BROWN, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • It is crafted from forged zinc and finished in matte black.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Inside, authorities allegedly found more debit cards with numerous names on them, copies of multiple driver’s licenses, bank documents and more than a dozen cell phones, state police wrote.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
  • But Medicaid experts said that reasoning was flawed, and a copy of a draft 2022 settlement offer — which does not mention Hope Florida — was for the identical $67 million.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 16 May 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 25 May. 2025.

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