hoax 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hoaxnext
as in counterfeit
an imitation that is passed off as genuine the skeleton of the purported ancient hominid turned out to be a hoax

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hoax

2 of 2

verb

ˈhōks How to pronounce hoax (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hoax
Noun
Yet, our president is dismissing all of the concerns as a hoax. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026 The rapid spread of Ebola has been aided from the onset by widespread skepticism among locals who have dismissed the disease as a hoax, even attacking health workers and health facilities on multiple occasions. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
In February, a California teenager pleaded guilty to hoax shooting and bomb threats against schools and other institutions and was sentenced to four years in federal prison on four counts of making interstate threats. — Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025 The Jussie Smollett hoax hate crime attack saga is set to be explored in a new documentary. — Peter White, Deadline, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoax
  1. counterfeit
  2. trick
  3. fake
  4. fool
  5. sham
  6. deceive
  7. forgery
  8. phony
Noun
  • Others deliver cheap counterfeits or products that look nothing like the advertisement.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In cases Durbhakula has seen, cychlorphine is often combined with other substances, even in counterfeits of Xanax and OxyContin, making the effects more powerful and dangerous.
    — Diana Anos, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Verb
  • There are now fake NFC chips that [counterfeiters] will put into handbags to trick people.
    — Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Use strong antivirus software Scammers may use fake health insurance websites, phishing emails or text messages to trick you into clicking malicious links.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Nebraska coach Matt Ruhle said his team was prepared for the fake, but the Illini still pulled it off.
    — Steve Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • At least being listed on Temu is a warning in and of itself; nobody can argue that these fakes are being passed off as the real thing.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of fake
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
Noun
  • Made from buttery-soft organic cotton sateen with a subtle sheen, the set includes a duvet cover and two matching shams.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • This duvet also comes with two shams featuring an envelope closure to keep pillows secure.
    — Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of sham
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
Noun
  • According to Fulton County jail records, New has been arrested multiple times on suspicion of crimes including identity theft, insurance fraud, financial transaction card fraud, forgery and simple assault.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • McCauley pled guilty to 27 counts of larceny, three counts of forgery and one count of embezzlement.
    — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of forgery
Noun
  • Tartikoff’s bizarre consolation prize was the NBC presidency (and that marijuana-smoking phony Johnny Dakota would never work again).
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • In 2024, for example, one phony GoFundMe page was later shut down after collecting more than $15,000 in light of a late Saturday afternoon shooting that left nine people injured at a Rochester Hills splash pad.
    — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of phony

Browse Nearby Words

hoary
hoax
hoaxed
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Cite this Entry

“Hoax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoax. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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