as in counterfeits
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the skeleton of the purported ancient hominid turned out to be a hoax
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tricks
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 hoaxes
Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
The bureau warned that these hoaxes not only waste law enforcement time and resources but also endanger lives.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
During swatting hoaxes, school officials usually have no idea there is a threat until police officers start showing up.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
In almost all the cases, police and administrators said the reports were hoaxes or swatting calls, which is when someone uses temporary cellphone numbers and voice-cloaking apps to create havoc.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of Police David Tedjeske said in a message to campus community members on Tuesday that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are investigating the incidents, adding that other schools across the country have dealt with similar hoaxes.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 26 Aug. 2025
At many levels across America, such hoaxes have been plaguing the nation for years, including at schools, grocery stores, office buildings and airports − anywhere large groups of people gather.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
On the streaming side, major platforms are diving headfirst into true crime, revisiting scandalous celebrity hoaxes and infamous decades-old cases alike.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
These hoaxes tax the resources of police departments and put an unquantifiable mental strain on the victims, ratcheting up the importance of putting a stop to them.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
The bureau warned that these hoaxes not only waste law enforcement time and resources but also endanger lives.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
During swatting hoaxes, school officials usually have no idea there is a threat until police officers start showing up.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
In almost all the cases, police and administrators said the reports were hoaxes or swatting calls, which is when someone uses temporary cellphone numbers and voice-cloaking apps to create havoc.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of Police David Tedjeske said in a message to campus community members on Tuesday that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are investigating the incidents, adding that other schools across the country have dealt with similar hoaxes.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 26 Aug. 2025
At many levels across America, such hoaxes have been plaguing the nation for years, including at schools, grocery stores, office buildings and airports − anywhere large groups of people gather.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
On the streaming side, major platforms are diving headfirst into true crime, revisiting scandalous celebrity hoaxes and infamous decades-old cases alike.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoaxes
Noun
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The non-profit said more oversight could help other counterfeits from entering the country in the future.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Aug. 2025
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Zhang said more companies may face lawsuits from Pop Mart over Lafufus, but counterfeits might also decrease as Pop Mart ramps up its production.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The interference has included both jamming—overpowering communications with strong radio signals—and spoofing, which tricks receivers into misreading their location or even the time.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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Although they are born fairly helpless, infants have a few survival tricks up their swaddles.—
Elissa Strauss,
The Atlantic,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Yet the dolls and their fakes continue to be sold in large quantities both domestically and overseas.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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Collectors can usually spot fakes by telltale signs like overly bright colors, missing holographic Pop Mart stickers, or the wrong number of teeth.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The letters, provided by Lex Cusack, had turned out to be forgeries, and Hersh was criticized for having had anything to do with them.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
29 Aug. 2025
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This can get tricky quickly for employers, many of whom aren’t necessarily trained to spot complicated forgeries.—
Dave Boucher,
Freep.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Luminate reports that the decade-old set sold 50,500 copies throughout America in the most recent week.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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One accuser, Marina Lacerda, called on the Justice Department to give survivors full unredacted copies of all case files.—
Robert Abitbol,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hoaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoaxes. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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