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
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
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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The two worked together nearly 63 years ago, forging a longtime friendship during their time as colleagues.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
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So, the Navy is forging ahead trying to make the best of ships its leaders didn’t want just a few years ago.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of pretending to be doctors attempting to remove body parts from a patient, however, Unethical Hoops players act as members of an opposing basketball team trying to take the ball from a cartoon character who very much resembles Gilgeous-Alexander.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Some owners show their mettle for a spell, then find adequate reason to knuckle under; others have no intention of even pretending to do what is hard or what is right.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Verb
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At times, some of the injury faking looks like 70s WWF.—
Marcus Thompson,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
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Sherri was subsequently arrested in March 2022 for allegedly faking her own kidnapping.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Three days after that, Skubal fired 35 pitches in another bullpen session, simulating what would normally be a start day.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
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These models are getting better at simulating reality.—
Nilay Patel,
The Verge,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Massamba Diop has one of the highest ceilings of any transfer, and Braden Huff returns with the best hook shot in college hoops (assuming JT Toppin doesn’t play this season).—
CJ Moore
June 2,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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How data has helped root out discrimination The more imminent change, assuming the EEOC's proposals go forward, is the demise of the agency's annual collection of employee demographics.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Automakers and cell manufacturers require extensive testing before approving new suppliers, particularly for materials directly affecting battery performance and safety.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
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While several ambitious Democratic governors emerged as leading voices of opposition to the administration, Whitmer adopted a more conciliatory approach, emphasizing cooperation with the White House on issues affecting Michigan.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterfeiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeiting. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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