as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
zoomed around the house in a make-believe car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fiction
Related Words
make believe
3 of 3phrase
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
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Recent Examples of make-believe
Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023
The internet provided a fertile new stage for my proclivity for make-believe.
—Kira Homsher, Longreads, 14 Mar. 2023
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
For the models, there is real money to be made – though it could only be spent in the make-believe world of the scam compound and its malls, cinemas and hotels, according to Sara.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-believe
Adjective
Yet in the past, intimate scenes in theater, film and television were rarely treated with the same mindfulness as a make-believe duel.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023
The internet provided a fertile new stage for my proclivity for make-believe.
—Kira Homsher, Longreads, 14 Mar. 2023
Noun
That’s just completely make-believe.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
For the models, there is real money to be made – though it could only be spent in the make-believe world of the scam compound and its malls, cinemas and hotels, according to Sara.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-believe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-believe
Adjective
-
An imaginary line drawn through the stars Bellatrix in Orion and Alnitak (the lowest star in Orion's Belt), extended about twice its own length, also leads to Murzam.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And there are no effects, there are no imaginary monsters.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In recent stories and this new novel, Saunders’s fiction has begun to feel both darker and a bit frustrated, spiritually and artistically.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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That's a remarkably wide release for a documentary — a film form which rarely exerts the same box office pull as fiction features — meaning Melania will be easier to see on the big screen than most docs.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Since then, fans have been looking for more ways to dive into their obsession over the love story between fictional hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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Baron Cohen’s portrayal of Borat, a fictional journalist from the former Soviet state, plays into stereotypes held by Westerners about the central Asian country while satirizing the United States, where Borat tries to trick politicians and others into compromising themselves.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The simulations are powered by Powered by Siemens’ Digital Twin Composer and Nvidia’s Omniverse platform – tools that create real time 3-D simulations.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Alia Shawkat stars as Fayruz, an ambitious actress determined to get her big break in Hollywood from working in the simulation despite her conflicting feelings about the war in Iraq.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The state has lost track of roughly 30,000 children believed to be receiving vouchers, but the state already knows that some fraudulent organizations created fictitious students and claimed vouchers in their name.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
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The film opens with an introduction to Ministry of Not Forgetting, a fictitious research facility where Tilda Swinton and George MacKay are seen opening an inquiry into Faithfull’s life and career.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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ElevenLabs says these partnerships are intended to establish a framework for AI music that operates under rights holder oversight rather than scraping or imitation.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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His calm voice and various gestures have thrilled generations of fans (including SNL icon Bill Hader, whose imitation of Morrison has become almost as famous as the man himself).—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Coogler's Jim Crow-era film -- the rare horror movie to win the academy's favor -- conjures a mythical allegory of Black life.—
JAKE COYLE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Coogler’s Jim Crow-era film — the rare horror movie to win the academy’s favor — conjures a mythical allegory of Black life.—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As Morrison pointed out, representations and practices can be mutually reinforcing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
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The company confirmed to Vogue Business that Saks Global will have representation during fashion month to attend shows and place buys.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Make-believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-believe. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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