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
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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
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Recent Examples of hoaxes
March 17, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
From online hoaxes about wildfires in Los Angeles and Hawaii to Russian and extremist propaganda during Hurricane Helene, information manipulation is warping responses to climate change and extreme weather.
—Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
District officials in multiple regions noted the threats appeared to match similar hoaxes reported in recent weeks statewide and across the country.
—Raul Trey Lopez, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Feb. 2026
In addition to the various homecoming shootings on HBCU campuses, several schools have fallen victim to swatting hoaxes aiming to foster confusion and chaos among the community.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Forgeries, hoaxes, and other types of literary fakery have preoccupied Havens, a rare books and manuscripts curator at the university’s Stern Center for the History of the Book, for many years now.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Despite the relief of being safe, the effects of these hoaxes endure.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
Obviously, these are hoaxes right now.
—March 17, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
From online hoaxes about wildfires in Los Angeles and Hawaii to Russian and extremist propaganda during Hurricane Helene, information manipulation is warping responses to climate change and extreme weather.
—Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
District officials in multiple regions noted the threats appeared to match similar hoaxes reported in recent weeks statewide and across the country.
—Raul Trey Lopez, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Feb. 2026
In addition to the various homecoming shootings on HBCU campuses, several schools have fallen victim to swatting hoaxes aiming to foster confusion and chaos among the community.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Forgeries, hoaxes, and other types of literary fakery have preoccupied Havens, a rare books and manuscripts curator at the university’s Stern Center for the History of the Book, for many years now.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Despite the relief of being safe, the effects of these hoaxes endure.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoaxes
Noun
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By 2009, Nakamoto took Bitcoin from theory to reality, mining the Genesis Block, and then, once the rules were set, protections against counterfeits were secured, and Bitcoin began to circulate—still worth next to nothing—Nakamoto vanished.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
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While many online retailers and marketplaces have taken steps to address the marketing of counterfeits, others still haven’t put the requisite measures in place—like notice and takedown procedures, identity verification and policies to punish offenders—that would curb the behavior.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oppo has some additional fun software tricks up its sleeve.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
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Specific to the Celimax formula, the Vita A Retinal Shot contains matrixyl 3000, an anti-aging peptide, that tricks your skin to produce more collagen, leading to firmer, tighter looking skin.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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McEnelly played defense the rest of the way, mixing in fakes where needed to keep Welsh at bay.—
Twin Cities,
Twin Cities,
22 Mar. 2026
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Nembhard had to toss the ball out to Pascal Siakam after failing to get Wembanyama to jump on two fakes under the rim.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Plans are now underway for a contemporary reimagining of the series, which saw McShane play the eponymous roguish and fourth wall-breaking antiques dealer, a likeable anti-hero with a knack for recognizing genuine antiques from fakes or forgeries.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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Over centuries, the fascination with relics has of course led to abuses, with thefts, forgeries and now online sales all part of their history.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a statement issued Friday, the commission accused X of using its 'blue checkmark' in a way that deceives users.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
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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
Noun
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In 2019, Banksy created his own merchandising business named Off the Wall so the public could buy reproductions of his work.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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At the intersection of these meanings is a question about the intimate reproductions of culture, how it’s passed between mentor and mentee, parent and child.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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She’s also gotten involved as a volunteer, making copies and helping with new student registration.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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The superstar also holds the top-selling MLB jersey since the end of the World Series — and signed copies of his new children’s book, Decoy Saves Opening Day, which retail for $25, are reselling for over $1,000.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoaxes. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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