1
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud
arrested for peddling "designer" watches that were fake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in synthetic
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
opposed to the unnecessary killing of animals, she'll consider wearing only fake furs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the boss's pitiful attempts at humor were met with fake laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
the fake friendliness of the sales rep made me want to gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hoax
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
experts declared that one of the museum's prized paintings was actually a fake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fraud
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
a hidden-camera investigation revealed that the so-called psychic was a fake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to counterfeit
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive
pranksters faked giant footprints and then claimed that they had seen Bigfoot
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
while running for class president, Dan was not above faking friendship with people just to get their votes
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to concoct
to perform, make, or do without preparation
if you give me the gist of the plan, I can probably fake enough for the speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to evade
to elude (an opponent in a sports contest) by making a deceptive or agile movement
the running back faked the defense by stepping to his left and then quickly cutting to the right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
fake documents
a fake identity
a falsified identity
a fraudulent identity
a counterfeit identity
a fictitious identity
a feigned identity
fake news
a fake smile
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 fake
Amy James, People.com, 28 June 2025
The comrades and the fellow travelers are still churning out their very fake news, but the Big Lie doesn’t work anymore.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 17 June 2025
Unfortunately, the promise of a once-in-a-lifetime prize proved to be a fake.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 June 2025
The 6-foot-9 forward’s go-to move was starting with his back about 10 to 12 feet from the basket before faking one way and unleashing a spin-around jumper.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fake
Adjective
Packed with familiar romance tropes like fake dating and only one bed, Slipstream is sure to satisfy romance lovers and F1 fans alike.
—Amy James, People.com, 28 June 2025
The comrades and the fellow travelers are still churning out their very fake news, but the Big Lie doesn’t work anymore.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
Noun
Another drawback to resale is the risk of purchasing a fake.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 17 June 2025
Unfortunately, the promise of a once-in-a-lifetime prize proved to be a fake.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Verb
It’s set during the Judo World Championships, when Iranian Leila and her coach Maryam receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, lest she be branded a traitor of the state.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 June 2025
The 6-foot-9 forward’s go-to move was starting with his back about 10 to 12 feet from the basket before faking one way and unleashing a spin-around jumper.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
Adjective
-
The Comité records all transactions, track the movement, manages the reserve and protects the appellation against counterfeit products.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
In 2024, the DEA seized more than 60 million counterfeit pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide — enough to deliver more than 380 million lethal doses.—
Mark Michalek,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
In Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to ban synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, forcing millions of Sri Lanka’s farmers to go organic.—
Daniel Markind,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
What interests Johnstone here is how biological and synthetic beings blend together.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Undersized at 6-foot-2, but a strong and explosive 215 pounds, Martin’s role in the Gators’ national championship success along with strong workouts for NBA teams placed him in the second round of many mock drafts.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
-
Most analysts agree that Michael Misa, C, will be the No. 2 overall selection, but from pick No. 3 onward, mock drafts diverge sharply.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
After a crew chief review, it was ruled a double, giving the Mets a 7-4 lead.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2025
-
Scheffler managed to make birdie, but the damage to his round had already been done with a triple-bogey 7 on the first hole, another bogey on No. 4 and a double on No. 8.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
The hoax of further democratizing what was always implicitly democratic relies on sham logic.—
Armond White,
National Review,
27 June 2025
-
The Balloon Boy hoax would seem to have all the right elements for a revisitation: a hapless, alleged victim (6-year-old Falcon Heene), sky-high danger (the balloon reached about 7,000 feet), daringly duplicitous parents (Richard and Mayumi Heene), and a national profile that gripped audiences.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
That they are aimed at reducing abuse, waste and fraud.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Last month, Kubler was indicted by the Justice Department on charges of securities fraud and money laundering.—
Sydney Sasser,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
True market leadership isn’t built during stable times—it’s forged through uncertainty.—
Padmakumar Nair,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Yet when the Obama Administration managed to forge a nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Netanyahu denounced it as weak.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
The show then cut over to a Good Morning America clip that sees Haines pretend to faint when the superhero swings into frame.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
-
Have you ever been contacted by someone pretending to be Elon Musk?—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share