Definition of fakenext
1
2
3
4

fake

2 of 4

noun (1)

fake

3 of 4

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
3
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

fakery

4 of 4

noun (2)

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
Uhls put the names of fake and shell companies on the promissory notes, in addition to his relative’s Kansas City contractor company — which never received money from Uhls, according to the affidavit. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026 Production designer Michael Whetstone was looped in to discuss what the look and feel of the fake Prince’s house would be. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Noun
Some of the manuscripts were never returned, while others were replaced with fakes. Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026 The model can spot obvious fakes, but Fleek also runs quality-check centers in Karachi and Delhi that inspect items from brands and categories its data has flagged as frequently counterfeited. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 July 2026
Verb
Job candidates are using AI to fake their way through interviews, and recruiters are paranoid. Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 20 July 2026 But John Sugar has revived him just in time to fake another death. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Noun
Amid all the fakery and flimflam of the pre-regulated drug market, the Shaker brand was the best. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 May 2026 Playing some clever game of head-fakery with his adversaries? Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
Adjective
  • Cyber criminals are using highly convincing counterfeit audio, video, and identity fabrications as tools in ways that conventional detection methods will fail to identify.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The big panels themselves were jammed — too jammed, with hundreds reportedly unable to get inside Hall H amid unconfirmed rumors of counterfeit wristbands.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • The earrings create a faux huggie effect by rounding and curving upward at the bottom.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
  • Below it, there’s a wide concave base with a drainage hole that’s ideal for faux flowers, real flowers, or decorative rocks.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • The milestone comes after SpaceX has deployed mock satellites on previous tests and paves the way for the company to expand its Starlink network in the future by using Starship to deploy the technology.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 July 2026
  • The social media post opens with Kardashian standing behind a podium at a mock press conference as reporters pepper her with questions about her seemingly endless energy.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • Ask Italian soccer club AS Roma, which on Wednesday made a double announcement that took the cross-pollination between the two fields to the next level.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
  • Among the highlights is a double-height living room with a fireplace, a seated bar, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors spilling out to an expansive deck sporting a covered entertaining area, plus a pool and spa.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • The first was the 2008 bomb threat hoax, which piqued investigators’ suspicions but resulted in no charges against Perales.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
  • Jones spent years claiming the shooting was a hoax, and that the families were lying about their dead children.
    Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • Both laid into the Walz administration for the fraud scandals.
    Esme Murphy, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • One fraud ring tracked by Socure executed 38,241 transactions across 465 organizations in 30 industries within a single 90-day window.
    Ray Fernandez, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • With a spotlight on youth sports nationwide, many young athletes forge their identity around sports and dedicate a large portion of their free time to improvement.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • While some have cut off all contact with their families, others have forged fragile paths towards reconciliation.
    Michael-Oliver Harding, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • But growth and affordability are pulling in opposite directions right now, and Hampton's leadership doesn’t pretend otherwise.
    Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe the most ethical – and enjoyable – way to travel now is to stop pretending you live there and embrace your status as a tourist.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fake

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster