1
as in forging
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive
an expert at counterfeiting money
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in pretending
to present a false appearance of
managing to counterfeit a happy expression while visiting a sick friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterfeiting
Several arrests were related to counterfeiting and selling knock-off Knicks apparel, an NYPD source said.
—
Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
There have been a lot of studies on counterfeiting conducted with customs and police, but these have mostly focused on the scale of the problem.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
And Cannon — who played with the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs — admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Cannon, a star with the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders, admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Murder, kidnapping and probably counterfeiting are all still against the rules in college football.
—Mac Engel
january 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
As such, more will be required than a World Cup ticket, particularly because physical tickets are vulnerable to counterfeiting, while electronic devices, which may ordinarily be a way to show authentic tickets, are usually forbidden in consular buildings where interviews take place.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
He and Baines were imprisoned and questioned for counterfeiting coins, and Marlowe was sent home.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
There have been a lot of studies on counterfeiting conducted with customs and police, but these have mostly focused on the scale of the problem.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
And Cannon — who played with the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs — admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Cannon, a star with the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders, admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Murder, kidnapping and probably counterfeiting are all still against the rules in college football.
—Mac Engel
january 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
As such, more will be required than a World Cup ticket, particularly because physical tickets are vulnerable to counterfeiting, while electronic devices, which may ordinarily be a way to show authentic tickets, are usually forbidden in consular buildings where interviews take place.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
He and Baines were imprisoned and questioned for counterfeiting coins, and Marlowe was sent home.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeiting
Verb
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He was also accused of fabricating personal credit-card reimbursements and forging fake receipts, Bonta said.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Daily News,
17 June 2026
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The actors spent time forging the kind of intimate charge that could be felt in wordless glances between their closeted characters.—
Jen Yamato,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Clarity does not require pretending the fog is gone.—
Gerald J. Leonard,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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This has included perpetrators pretending to administer a survey in their car, posing as a social worker giving away free baby items at their home, accompanying victims to a doctor’s appointment at a nonexistent clinic, and luring them to fake baby showers.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
Verb
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However, Parker was actually faking the pregnancy and lying to her boyfriend, Wade Griffin, his family and their friends.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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The victim managed to escape by faking a seizure.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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This has become increasingly difficult, with professional players routinely simulating injuries and an offside rule that is interpreted to within fractions of an inch.—
Eric Zillmer,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
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Hundreds of first responders and volunteers gathered at Detroit Metropolitan Airport Wednesday morning to take part in a full-scale emergency training exercise simulating a real-life plane crash.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Liability insurance costs also rise dramatically — assuming coverage can be obtained in a state facing a severe insurance crisis — further reducing funds available for essential services.—
Kim Gorsuch,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
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That works out to roughly four reusable water bottles per day for men and about three for women, assuming bottles are in the standard 24- to 32-ounce range.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Britain's revolving door of prime minister, affecting both Labour and Conservative parties, accelerated in the wake of the 2016 Brexit vote to leave the European Union economic bloc.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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The redesign is under consideration because the current plans would cut off access to the Jefferson Viaduct, affecting drivers coming from Oak Cliff.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterfeiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeiting. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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