Thesaurus

fake

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of fake

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 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

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unauthentic

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Antonyms for fake

2 being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud

arrested for peddling "designer" watches that were fake

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natural

Antonyms for fake

3 lacking in natural or spontaneous quality

the boss's pitiful attempts at humor were met with fake laughter

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Antonyms for fake

4 not being or expressing what one appears to be or express

the fake friendliness of the sales rep made me want to gag

Synonyms for fake

Words Related to fake

bogus,
sham

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Antonyms for fake

fake

noun (1)

Synonyms & Antonyms of fake (Entry 2 of 4)

1 an imitation that is passed off as genuine

experts declared that one of the museum's prized paintings was actually a fake

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original

2 one who makes false claims of identity or expertise

a hidden-camera investigation revealed that the so-called psychic was a fake

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poseur

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fake

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of fake (Entry 3 of 4)

1 to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive

pranksters faked giant footprints and then claimed that they had seen Bigfoot

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simulate

2 to present a false appearance of

while running for class president, Dan was not above faking friendship with people just to get their votes

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feint

malinger

Phrases Synonymous with fake

make believe

3 to perform, make, or do without preparation

if you give me the gist of the plan, I can probably fake enough for the speech

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4 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

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maneuver (around)

fakery

noun (2)

Synonyms & Antonyms of fakery (Entry 4 of 4)

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery

if the product were any good, the company wouldn't have to resort to fakery to get people to buy it

Synonyms for fakery

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Antonyms for fakery

Frequently Asked Questions About fake

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