1
as in forging
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive
an expert at counterfeiting money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 counterfeiting
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
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
-
Other strategies outlined include seeking donations from philanthropists, forging more corporate partnerships and targeting upstart internet providers who may be more willing to get creative.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
If Europe continues forging ahead with the scheme, other countries with a less responsive antitrust framework will likely follow.—
Ike Brannon,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Online adult platforms are being severely restricted these days as new laws banning materials involving adults pretending to be under 18 are put into place.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 May 2026
-
Other highlights from the show included a sketch where Rodrigo and Ben Marshall played a pair of exes pretending to be in new relationships, as well as the latest edition of a recurring sketch about Shop TV hosts selling a product that looks very inappropriate.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors accused Saladino of faking an invoice to boost revenues and earnings, according to documents seen by Bloomberg.—
Luca Casiraghi,
Bloomberg,
24 Apr. 2026
-
After an assassination attempt on President Andrew Jackson in 1835, the opposition party accused him of faking it for public sympathy.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The video shared by NASA also stitches together the imagery, guiding viewers across both scenes and simulating what Mars' ancient past may have looked like.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
There is also a sinking slope decking display simulating the 15-degree angle that the ship sank, at 15-minute intervals, for visitors to climb upon.—
Gregory Harutunian,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With a razor-thin majority, the Speaker can afford to lose only two GOP votes on any party-line bill, assuming that all members are present and Democrats are united in opposition.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Providers also can fall victim to inadvertent bias, assuming a young, otherwise healthy patient must be dealing with something other than shingles.—
Alyssa Sparacino,
Glamour,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And what was first impacted particularly in Southeast Asia is now equally affecting the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
The board oversees the Sacramento County Office of Education, which provides services and oversight to the 13 public school districts, including the Los Rios Community College District, affecting 255,000 students.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterfeiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeiting. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
