counterfeit 1 of 3

counterfeit

2 of 3

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 company also said that no allegations have been made suggesting the products were counterfeit. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 Those charges include four counts each of counterfeiting−delivery/possession of property and knowingly selling counterfeit, nonfunctional or noncompliant supplemental restraint systems. Christina Hall, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Marq Vision was cofounded in 2020 by Mark Lee, a former McKinsey consultant who holds a Doctor of Law from Harvard, to identify counterfeits in online listings using AI. Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 The complaint shows a slew of products that Twenty One Pilots alleges are counterfeits bearing their trademarks. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
This makes Temu counterfeits more difficult for consumers to spot while browsing, and more difficult to determine are counterfeit upon receipt of the goods. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Aug. 2025 Despite the new technology, Travers and Albanese say counterfeiting remains an issue for coins produced in previous years. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeit
Adjective
  • In a world where fake medical implants, counterfeit microchips, and cloned devices can threaten lives, money, and security, proving that a physical object is truly genuine is a major challenge.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Broncos also were successful on a fake punt in the fourth quarter.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ohtani stroked a triple into the right field corner in his first at-bat Thursday and scored on Mookie Betts’ double.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
  • But creditors allege First Brands used the same invoice multiple times to access funds from private lenders that were unaware of the double dipping.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Roundly condemned as an archaeological hoax by scholars, Inghirami undertook to publish a 1,000-page defense of his forgery.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • No one who was ever in the house, who investigated it, ever called it a hoax.
    Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bellavance-Lecompte is a design curator and architect who also founded the Carwan Gallery in Beirut in 2011, and stands as a significant figure in the global art and design scene, forging cross-cultural dialogue within the design community.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In Season 1, the pair forged an improbable connection despite their different religious backgrounds.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tapping into his State Farm acting chops on fourth down while leading 7-0, Mahomes pretended to be frustrated with a Reid play-call before handing the ball off.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In the finale, Brandis pretends not to see the million-dollar stash in Maeve's possession and zips the bag back up, looking up as birds sing.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Tesla is still fighting a false advertising lawsuit from California's DMV.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • And that’s really false advertising.
    Alex Crippen, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Costco, though, was a shrewd recombination of what had come before rather than a straight copy.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • While those films were burned, what the West never knew was that those were not the only copies of these films as Hesse had stored the vast majority of the originals safely in London, away from the political upheaval.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 20 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2025.

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