humbugs 1 of 2

noun

plural of humbug
as in frauds
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise one humbug after another claimed to be the miraculously surviving daughter of the Russian czar

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

humbugs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of humbug
as in fools
to cause to believe what is untrue humbugged into believing that the bones were the skeleton of a prehistoric human being

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 humbugs
Noun
Hypocrites, humbugs, Germans, Jews, Yankees, foreigners, Park Laners, cosmopolitan riffraff. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 San Diego theaters have lined up a bounty of seasonal stage shows designed to delight even the biggest humbugs. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbugs
  1. frauds
  2. fools
  3. fakes
  4. tricks
  5. shams
  6. deceives
  7. pretenders
  8. charlatans
Noun
  • In 2018, Modi was accused by Indian authorities of orchestrating one of the country’s largest bank frauds in modern history.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of frauds
Verb
  • Runway, Pika, and a dozen others can produce footage that fools the eye on first watch.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
  • What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of fools
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
  • 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
  • Filling Decorative Pillow Shams Decorative pillow shams in guest bedrooms that get little use offer an easy way to repurpose old towels.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Linen bedding can get costly fast, but this quilt set comes in at under $200—and includes matching shams.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of shams
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
  • The schedule is forgivable, even by ACC standards, but a rematch on the road against Notre Dame will separate the Canes as contenders or pretenders.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
  • Now, hardship seems to be an end in itself, a battle scar or badge of honor that distinguishes true backpackers from mere pretenders.
    — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 4 May 2026
Definition of pretenders
Noun
  • Ours is not a society that loathes charlatans; look who’s running things.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In place of San Francisco’s decaying arts bohemia of poseurs and charlatans, they can be said to be creating an alternate bohemia.
    — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of charlatans

Browse Nearby Words

humbugging
humbugs
humdinger
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Cite this Entry

“Humbugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbugs. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of humbugs for Spanish Speakers

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