HOAXES Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

hoaxes 1 of 2

noun

plural of hoax

as in counterfeits

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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originals

hoaxes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hoax

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

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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 hoaxes

Noun

While Locke failed in that regard, his articles live on as one of the most famous media hoaxes. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 America’s penny press transformed journalism in the 1830s, using hoaxes, sensationalism, and mass circulation to create a blueprint for modern media. — Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026 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 dishonest duo got rich from their deception, but in the age of AI slop, there is a certain charm to analogue hoaxes such as these. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 June 2026 That is why this conversation is about far more than celebrity deepfakes or viral internet hoaxes. — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 The Pepsi-tampering mystery was unraveling today as several claims of objects found in soda cans were pronounced hoaxes. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 The fact remains that 30 years ago, before the Texas Air National Guard fiasco, among so many other fake-news hoaxes, 60 Minutes had more than 20 million viewers a week. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 All of the threats, including the one at Zoo Atlanta, turned out to be hoaxes. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 18 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoaxes

Noun

The European Commission previously said AliExpress breached its obligations under the DSA, which required it to diligently assess and mitigate the risks of counterfeits.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 22 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 counterfeits

Verb

Short crown layers build lift and help create volume, which tricks the eye into seeing more density overall, and face-framing pieces create visual fullness around the face.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 11 Aug. 2026
Lord Ormund’s Gambit Lord Ormund has many, many tricks up his green sleeves.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of tricks

Noun

The Institute assists some 2,700 museums, libraries, and archival organizations, and, in this case, assisted the Ontario Provincial Police, exposing fakes and ultimately testifying for the prosecution in the trial of one of the fraudsters.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The second-round pass rusher made aggressive mistakes, falling twice for option fakes and overrunning a screen pass early.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of fakes

Verb

The complaint also claims that the image deceives customers into thinking Lipa has endorsed the product and dilutes her brand identity.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.

— Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Definition of deceives

Noun

One can imagine the burden of splitting up a valuable estate and the myriad decisions about how to run it posthumously, such as whether to license the name or make reproductions.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
The widely available listings are reproductions, not salvaged restaurant fixtures.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of reproductions

Noun

Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
In a settlement agreement reached last year, Conservice agreed to provide any California tenant disputing their bill with copies of invoices and formulas used to determine their specific charges.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of copies

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hoaxers

hoaxes

hoaxing

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“Hoaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoaxes. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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noun

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