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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
Plump four-poster beds are covered in rich floral fabrics or set against wallpaper patterned like humbugs. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Dec. 2023 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
  • The Air Force took this case seriously under Project Blue Book, officially classifying it as ‘unexplained’ after finding no evidence of a hoax.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This is not a hoax, Marina Lacerda, another of the survivors, said.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This smacks of fake tough guy nonsense.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
  • And then a lot of nonsense, which comes with the script.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Julie and Todd were found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud in June 2022, while Julie was also found guilty of wire fraud.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The election is complicated by the fact that Brown faces felony fraud charges.
    Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hurricanes explained by Ginger Zee Don't be fooled by the lack of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • After driving his team to the 1-yard line, Fields fooled the entire Steelers defense on a fourth down, faking a handoff and then high-stepping into the end zone untouched to take a 32-31 lead.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The non-profit said more oversight could help other counterfeits from entering the country in the future.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Rather, the Mediterranean diet simply underscores that the majority of your plate consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, Goldstein says.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Don’t want nuts but still want the crunch?
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Exclusivo Mezcla Reversible Lightweight Quilt Set The Exclusivo Mezcla Quilt Bedding Set includes a reversible quilt and two matching pillow shams to tie the look together.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Pottery Barn offers matching shams with zipper closures, and both the quilt and shams are available on sale.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Now the abductees are required to trick others in turn.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In the hacking campaigns Proofpoint analyzed, cybercriminals attempted to trick users into downloading and installing Stealerium as an attachment or a web link, luring victims with typical bait like a fake payment or invoice.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Humbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbug. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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