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humbug

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word humbug different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of humbug are counterfeit, fake, fraud, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When would counterfeit be a good substitute for humbug?

Although the words counterfeit and humbug have much in common, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When might fake be a better fit than humbug?

The synonyms fake and humbug are sometimes interchangeable, but fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When can fraud be used instead of humbug?

The words fraud and humbug are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could imposture be used to replace humbug?

The words imposture and humbug can be used in similar contexts, but imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

When is sham a more appropriate choice than humbug?

While in some cases nearly identical to humbug, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

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 humbug
Noun
Well then, the author cannot be blamed for what might be called the worldwide humbug over the robots. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 Mean One features David Howard Thornton, known for playing Art the Clown in the Terrifier movies, as a familiar-looking green-skinned humbug in a Santa suit, living on a mountain high above the small town town of Newville. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 July 2023
Verb
In its verb form, to be humbugged is to be deceived or be the victim of a hoax. Elizabeth Wolfe and Douglas S. Wood, CNN, 21 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for humbug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbug
Noun
  • Authorities determined the carjacking was nothing more than a hoax with a goal of quick cash by way of insurance fraud, sheriff officials said.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • And how a real video from Gaza led to claims of an AI hoax.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Beyond that, the show is mostly content to amble along, loping toward the green and from time to time indulging in odd bits of nonsense.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 4 June 2025
  • Yet Towns has proven, one moment at a time, that reputation, that narrative is a bunch of nonsense.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • The slashing of the benefits of medical care, food and other assistance to low-income families in this bill goes so far beyond even the most exaggerated claim of fraud, waste and abuse as to be cynically and sadistically abusive.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, in the UK, SIM swap fraud surged by over 1,000% in 2024.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Reyes was a nice spring training story, but the Yankees were fooled by meaningless February and March stats.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 June 2025
  • But don't be fooled, as these texts are sophisticated scams designed to steal your personal information or money.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • On counterfeits, the color is almost always wrong, usually a highlighter shade of yellow instead.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Marcus Ray Chavez, 30, gave the girl counterfeit pills containing fentanyl on at least four occasions between September and November of 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Use it to find and retrieve stray nuts or bolts in any crevice.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Without that pollination, almond trees produce only 200 pounds of nuts per acre.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Pottery Barn Outlet Bedding Deals There are plenty of deals on comfortable quilts, cozy comforters, and shams in the Pottery Barn bedding sale section.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2025
  • Quince often has Bundle & Save offers for up to 25% off select clothing and bedding sets with hotel-quality sheets, duvets, and shams.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Phishing pages masquerade as banks, auction sites, and other sensitive sites, hoping to trick victims into logging in.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025
  • Geragos asked Jane about presents that Diddy lavished upon her, for example, seemingly to suggest that his gift-giving indicated a romantic relationship, not a ruse to trick her into kink.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Humbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbug. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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