fake out

verb

Definition of fake outnext
1
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue my friends faked me out for a whole day, letting me think that they had forgotten my birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to evade
to elude (an opponent in a sports contest) by making a deceptive or agile movement used a quick between-the-legs dribble to fake out the flat-footed defender

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 fake out There was one instance where journeyman Micah Potter faked out Kel’el Ware and drove for a thunderous dunk. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 Asked about the fake out, Mara grinned. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 After the match, Kidd and Finlay, along with Clark Connors, attack Cassidy and Allin until Roderick Strong walks down to the ring, fakes out The Dogs and helps Cassidy and Allin get retribution. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026 In the 80th minute, Denkey received an assist from Ender Echenique, faking out goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos before finishing with his left foot between a pair of defenders. — ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fake out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake out
  1. trick
  2. evade
  3. fool
  4. fake
  5. deceive
  6. string along
  7. suck in
Verb
  • Vision is still frustrated and furious over the ways Ultron tricked and used him, but yelling at an opponent that won’t get riled in return isn’t satisfying.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Mulching too early in fall can trap warmth that tricks the plants into sending out new growth, but mulching after the ground has frozen won’t properly insulate roots.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • Several charges are pending against the suspect, including assault on a peace officer and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The franchise began in 1997 as a relatively simple, top-down game that allowed players to roam fictional cities, steal vehicles, evade police and commit crimes.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of evade
Verb
  • One play later, on third-and-long, Darnold got fooled by a Cover 2 trap coverage and Ja’Quan McMillian picked him off, setting up the Broncos’ walk-off field goal.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Don't be fooled by the affordable price, because your opponents will be the ones paying.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of fool
Verb
  • Mateer faked a handoff and a reverse to Sategna and quickly flipped it to a wide-open Hayden Hansen for a 3-yard TD pass and a 10-0 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The participants were asked to either fake a smile in response to each image or told to respond naturally.
    — Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of fake
Verb
  • But don’t be deceived, these are not primarily poems of the body, though the animal body–the dog, the human, meat– return throughout.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The first rule of thumb—and a solid piece of advice to live by—is that looks can be deceiving.
    — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • This year’s tree will be decked out in nearly 50,000 multihued LED lights strung along 5 miles of wire.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2026
  • For one thing, the aircraft was an all-electric number powered by a dozen electric motors strung along the leading edge of the wing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of string along
Verb
  • Predicting the costs How cities full of rational, educated, financially prudent people get sucked in, how we’re persuaded to put aside concerns about being stuck with a massive bill and just surrender to the spectacle.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Drivers are being asked to plan ahead for any additional road closures, while officials asked people to avoid taking any chances and getting suck in deep water.
    — Alys Martinez, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of suck in

Browse Nearby Words

faked out
fake out
faker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fake out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake%20out. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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