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
By probing his triple role as author, anthropologist and cult leader, the book asks why Americans hunger for seductive spiritual hoaxes. — Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 The Little Rock Zoo briefly stopped admitting visitors on Friday morning while authorities investigating a bomb threat that was found to be a hoax. — Arkansas Online, 19 June 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
  • If the ticket is determined to be a counterfeit or the event is canceled, resellers will be required to issue refunds within 10 days.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 15 July 2026
  • Masherah also emphasized keeping Jordan with Upper Deck provides collectors a safe place to acquire authenticated Jordan autographed memorabilia when there are so many fakes and counterfeits floating around.
    — Larry Holder, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Verb
  • Forced to drink it herself to try to trick Mysaria, who finds out anyway.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • Therefore, by sending a low-voltage electrical pulse to either antenna, scientists can trick the cockroach into turning in the opposite direction, effectively allowing operators to steer the living robot via remote control.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • The stage, now covered in water, is quickly cleared as Holzinger comforts Nüganen; the fake-out isn’t entirely apparent until Saioa Alvarez comes out dressed as a plumber to take a look.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • In this case, as staff eventually discovered, the box had been returned – but the books themselves had been replaced with fakes.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of fake
Verb
  • You may be fooled into joining a brokerage with high fees, poor investment options or other red flags.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • Jairzinho, Brazil vs Italy, 1970 Jairzinho steals in to give Brazil a two-goal lead with 20 minutes left, controlling the ball with his thigh and then failing to connect with his finish, which is enough to fool goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Thoughtful details like precision stitching and rounded corners help keep the lightweight fill evenly in place, while the matching shams feature discrete overlap closures with charming scalloped trim.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026
  • Treat it as the foundation for a beautifully layered bed or add the matching pillow shams to streamline the look.
    — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2026
Definition of sham
Verb
  • In an era when AI generates convincing falsehoods at scale and a third of teenagers report being deceived by fake content online, the ability to weigh evidence critically is not an academic exercise but a plain necessity.
    — Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring with a spectacular cross-shot that deceived Jordan Pickford and, although Jude Bellingham struck back for England in first-half stoppage time, Norway looked the more likely winners as the second period wore on.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of deceive
Noun
  • Reports of guns, faked voter registration documents, gift card payments for forgeries.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026
  • Remsen was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for Gaston’s murder and another six years in connection with the forgery charges.
    — Doha Madani, NBC news, 16 July 2026
Definition of forgery
Noun
  • Just as Moby-Dick is canonically about whales, Catcher is canonically about phonies.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • Even today, students can tell you that the biggest phony in the book is Holden himself.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hoax for Spanish Speakers

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