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Definition of fakenext
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fake

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noun

fake

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verb

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
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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fake different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fake are counterfeit, fraud, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," 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 could counterfeit be used to replace fake?

The meanings of counterfeit and fake largely overlap; however, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When is fraud a more appropriate choice than fake?

The synonyms fraud and fake are sometimes interchangeable, but fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

In what contexts can humbug take the place of fake?

While the synonyms humbug and fake are close in meaning, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When is it sensible to use imposture instead of fake?

The words imposture and fake 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 fake?

Although the words sham and fake have much in common, 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 fake
Adjective
Meanwhile, a California man accused of sending a fake ransom note to the family appeared in Tucson, Ariz. Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026 The shop is also offering a fake skin tattoo experience for $50, but a deposit is required. Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
In the passing game, McDaniel uses a wide array of play-action fakes to suck linebackers toward the line of scrimmage, creating windows in the middle of the field. Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Too sweet to be true, he is seen as a corporate fake marketed to children by The Man. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
Wisconsin doesn't have a crime on the books for faking a death. Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 3 Feb. 2026 After faking a slap shot, Kucherov had sent a pass down to Guentzel. Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
Adjective
  • Estée Lauder is suing Walmart in federal court alleging that the retailer sold counterfeit versions of the cosmetic company's fragrance and skin care products in its online store.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Estée Lauder is suing Walmart, claiming that the big-box retailer sold counterfeit beauty products on its online marketplace.
    Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • My favorite aspect of the hoody is the strategic mix of materials—breathable fleece under my arms and panels made from synthetic insulation packed between two layers of air-permeable face fabric on my chest, back, and top of my arms.
    Jakob Schiller, Outside, 16 Feb. 2026
  • In India, for example, synthetic rubber consumption recently grew by 15–20% per year, driving isoprene demand.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • During the test, teams will run through the full range of operations that would take place on launch day, including loading the SLS rocket with 700,000 gallons cryogenic liquid propellant that is later drained and conducting a mock countdown.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Kids will have a blast at the Seaport Museum next door, especially when exploring the mock-village section and tall-mast whaling ship.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • In another twist late Saturday night, the Canadian women's team was accused by match officials of the same double-touch violation, this time by veteran skip Rachel Homan in the first end against Switzerland.
    STEVE DOUGLAS, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The home crowd favorite is coming back from tearing her ACL and suffering a double leg break in April of last year, only returning to competition last month ahead of the Olympics.
    Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There is an affordability crisis that is not a hoax.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The administration says the regulations hurt business and industry and were rooted in climate change, which Trump regularly calls a hoax.
    Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Officials allege Redzepagic — who recently lived in Florida — was involved in a fraud scheme between May 2021 and March 2025.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
  • French police have detained nine people in relation to a ticketing fraud scheme that may have cost the Louvre €10 million ($12 million).
    News Desk, Artforum, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Now the two have forged a close relationship, bonding over their music, their careers, and—as moms—their children.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Adding to the complexity and focus of the business, it was announced in November 2019 that Coty had forged a long-term partnership with Kylie Jenner for a 51 percent stake in her Kylie Cosmetics and Kylie Skin brands, for $600 million.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • When Game 3 of the 1917 World Series between the White Sox and New York Giants was rained out, Lardner was in New York and wrote a fictional column pretending the game had actually been played.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Led by the energetic Danny, the show take viewers on adventures to find pirate treasure, pretend to be superheroes, and fly like an airplane.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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