Synonyms of counterfeit

counterfeit 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌfit 

1

as in fake

being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud

counterfeit currency that had been passed all over town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fake
• false
• forged
• imitation
• ornamental
• phoney
• phony
• bogus
• inauthentic
• manufactured
• spurious
• synthetic
• artificial
• unauthentic
• sham
• deceptive
• snide
• simulated
• misleading
• mock
• substitute
• cultured
• factitious
• mimic
• dummy
• fabricated
• nonfunctioning
• man-made
• delusive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• genuine
• authentic
• bona fide
• natural
• actual
• true
• unfaked
• valid

2

as in double

not being or expressing what one appears to be or express

when it comes to the poor, his compassion is so counterfeit—he gives a damn, and that's all that he gives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fake
• double
• pretended
• lip
• phoney
• meaningless
• phony
• artificial
• superficial
• hollow
• strained
• insincere
• hypocritical
• false
• mechanical
• feigned
• unnatural
• assumed
• affected
• backhanded
• mealy
• unctuous
• pious
• phony-baloney
• jive
• double-dealing
• phoney-baloney
• double-faced
• empty
• simulated
• two-faced
• Janus-faced
• dishonest
• forced
• Pecksniffian
• mealymouthed
• contrived
• left-handed
• deceitful
• sham
• bogus
• put-on
• untruthful
• devious
• glib
• claptrap
• facile
• facetious
• tongue-in-cheek
• jocular
• campy
• pharisaical
• sanctimonious
• simon-pure
• canting
• self-righteous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• genuine
• sincere
• honest
• heartfelt
• artless
• unfeigned
• candid
• direct
• plain
• open
• undesigning
• frank
• straightforward
• forthright
• heart-to-heart

counterfeit

2 of 3

noun

as in hoax

an imitation that is passed off as genuine

the will as well as the other documents turned out to be counterfeits

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hoax
• copy
• fake
• reproduction
• forgery
• phoney
• phony
• sham
• replica
• synthetic
• knockoff
• copycat
• bastard
• spoof
• humbug
• simulation
• swindle
• facsimile
• fraud
• imposture
• shoddy
• dummy
• mock-up
• gaff
• brummagem
• duffer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original

counterfeit

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to fake

to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive

an expert at counterfeiting money

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fake
• forge
• phony
• simulate
• invent
• manipulate
• duplicate
• reproduce
• replicate
• crib
• cook (up)
• fabricate
• juggle
• adulterate
• plagiarize
• tamper (with)
• concoct
• reduplicate
• doctor
• fudge

2

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of

managing to counterfeit a happy expression while visiting a sick friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pretend
• simulate
• assume
• fake
• act
• affect
• pass (for)
• feign
• make believe
• bluff
• put on
• dissemble
• sham
• profess
• forge
• conceal
• pose
• masquerade
• imitate
• play
• impersonate
• camouflage
• mask
• disguise
• let on
• dissimulate
• playact
• feint
• malinger

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

Recent Examples of counterfeit

Adjective

According to a 2023 study from Michigan State University, nearly seven in 10 consumers were fooled into purchasing counterfeit items online. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 8 July 2025

Phishing and counterfeit sites are growing in number and complexity while requiring fewer resources to create. —Daniel Shapiro, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

Noun

Manufacturers use these to track inventory and flag counterfeits. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 8 July 2025

But the errors on the alleged counterfeits aren’t the only reason that Levi’s believes PBG carried out its actions willfully and with knowledge. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 8 May 2025

Verb

Kearney’s report estimates that counterfeits account for up to a quarter of luxury goods sales today. —Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

What about the increasingly complex supply chain for electronics, involving international sourcing, multi-stage assembly, and potentially counterfeiting? —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025