make-believe 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of make-believenext
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination zoomed around the house in a make-believe car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

make-believe

2 of 3

noun

as in fiction

Related Words

make believe

3 of 3

phrase

as in pretend
to present a false appearance of He made believe he was sick to get out of going to school.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 make-believe
Adjective
Tesshi Nakagawa’s scenic design is like a toy kingdom that induces the audience into a state of make-believe. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 But just as much of its humor came from portraying displays of everyday decency as the stuff of Hollywood make-believe, on par with the cinematic catharsis of a high-stakes Damon vehicle. — Erik Adams, The Atlantic, 10 May 2026
Noun
But just as much of its humor came from portraying displays of everyday decency as the stuff of Hollywood make-believe, on par with the cinematic catharsis of a high-stakes Damon vehicle. — Erik Adams, The Atlantic, 10 May 2026 All jobs have a performative aspect to them, but when people engage in make-believe in exchange for money, there’s often a devaluation of that work. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for make-believe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-believe
  1. imaginary
  2. fiction
  3. fictional
  4. simulation
  5. fictitious
  6. imitation
  7. mythical
  8. representation
Adjective
  • Its Escape to Moominvalley exhibition, open through October 2026, examines how architecture, home and landscape shaped the imaginary world created by Finnish artist and author Tove Jansson.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Anyway, Will Venable has my imaginary vote, though Mike Vasil's wizardry might be the bigger reason why the White Sox are rolling.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of imaginary
Noun
  • The intricacy with which Whitehead details the planning and execution of this caper marks him as a top-tier researcher — he’s drawn on many primary sources to ground this work of fiction in historical fact.
    — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • In much of literary fiction, characters and settings are developed slowly, through the gradual accrual of discrete moments that rarely stray from the mundane and the reasonable.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of fiction
Adjective
  • It is set in Mano Majra, a fictional village on the new frontier between India and Pakistan, where Sikh and Muslim families have lived together peacefully for generations.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • Joanne Miller is a fictional agent who in the film leads the manhunt for the adult Ted and uses the words in the Unabomber’s manifesto to track him down.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of fictional
Noun
  • This could reportedly improve simulations of molecular processes such as electron transfer.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
  • During simulations, train your team to lead with context and forward momentum, not apology or over-explanation.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of simulation
Adjective
  • But the samurai genre already presupposes a fictitious otherworldly place, and everyday normalcy simply doesn’t exist there, Kurosawa said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • Here are three fictitious, but realistic, examples that reflect how different promotions may work.
    — Louis DeNicola, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of fictitious
Noun
  • Bosses recently told Deadline that microdrama has moved well beyond cheap, schlocky imitations of traditional TV and film.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 July 2026
  • And Chinese imitation isn’t something that will inherently kill the American frontier labs.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of imitation
Adjective
  • The World Heritage inscription of Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the 12 Olympian gods, rewarded a 12-year effort by Greece to secure recognition for its tallest mountain as a mixed cultural and natural heritage site.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • The original Cappuccino enjoys near-mythical status among enthusiasts, especially as Japanese domestic-market classics continue to rise in value worldwide.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of mythical
Noun
  • Issues to address include healthcare, education, mental health, community well-being, fair taxes, voters’ rights, fair representation and government accountability.
    — Sophie Lindberg July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • After creating videos, some of which have accumulated millions of views across platforms, Badger earned representation from Digital Brand Architects, or DBA, a creator-management company, which was acquired by United Talent Agency.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of representation

Browse Nearby Words

make away with
make-believe
make believe
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Cite this Entry

“Make-believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-believe. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of make-believe for Spanish Speakers

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