as in counterfeit
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the skeleton of the purported ancient hominid turned out to be a hoax
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
a skilled forger who hoaxed the art world into believing that the paintings were long-lost Vermeers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hoax
Riann Phillip, Vogue, 11 June 2025
The hoax of further democratizing what was always implicitly democratic relies on sham logic.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2023
Related:Teen jailed after bomb threat hoax AirDropped to American Airlines passengers in El Paso The passenger was traveling with a companion and both were unharmed, though their clothes were soiled with food and wine.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Noun
He’s even inspired a few imitators, from hoaxes on TikTok to the actual Timothée Chalamet arriving to his own red-carpet premiere by bike.
—Riann Phillip, Vogue, 11 June 2025
The hoax of further democratizing what was always implicitly democratic relies on sham logic.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
Verb
Advertisement How aspiring Indian entrepreneurs and students were hoaxed in the quest for funding The World Startup Convention was originally scheduled for Jan. 14-16., before it was postponed to March 24-26.
—Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2023
Related:Teen jailed after bomb threat hoax AirDropped to American Airlines passengers in El Paso The passenger was traveling with a companion and both were unharmed, though their clothes were soiled with food and wine.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoax
Noun
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The department said that U.S. consumers spend more than $100 billion every year on knock off goods, falling victim to approximately 20% of the counterfeits that are illegally sold worldwide.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
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This innovation protects consumers against counterfeits and provides essential guarantees in the resale market, ensuring that the products retain their value.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kyle and Kamilla couldn't believe their plan worked, while Joe wondered whether he and Eva had been tricked.—
David Wysong,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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This is exactly how scammers trick people into giving up personal details, login credentials, or even payment information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2025
Noun
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And not just shooting the shot, but using it to create space for my teammates or using a shot fake to create a different shot for myself or a drive to kick.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
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But a closer inspection revealed some telltale signs that the document, first obtained by the Tribune through a public records request, is likely a fake.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Verb
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While denim remains a primary component of global fashion at every price point, don’t let its ubiquity and casual vibe fool you.—
Simon Mainwaring,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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But don’t let its impressive storage space fool you — the case folds in on itself to create a compact roll that’s easy to stow in suitcases and handbags.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Official results of the election handed Lukashenko his sixth term in office but were denounced by the opposition and the West as a sham.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
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Another sign that this search was viewed as a sham was that the most impressive outside candidate was the city manager of Norcross, Ga., an Atlanta suburb of 18,000 residents.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 June 2025
Verb
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The person is not trying to deceive or control, but the behavior still affects others and requires self awareness and growth to correct.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
27 June 2025
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Where was this sense of urgency when the mullahs were attempting to deceive U.N. inspectors while sandbagging U.S. efforts to diplomatically scuttle the country’s nuclear efforts?—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Milan Milos Djuric, 24, was charged with one count of corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony; eight counts of Level 6 felony fraud; three counts of Level 6 felony forgery, and one count of Level 6 felony auto theft.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
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Court records viewed by the Dispatch say Sierra was arrested on May 19 and charged with felony forgery.—
Shahid Meighan,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
Noun
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The movie lacks a lot of Shepherd’s biting sarcasm and cynicism, because this book does pine for the good old days while also pointing out how adults then, and now, are a bunch of phonies.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
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For a Gen X-er raised on movies that skewered phonies and wannabes, the thought of being a poser was, in the end, far more offensive to his sensibilities than being potentially bland.—
Rachel Syme,
The New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Hoax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoax. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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