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
as in fiction
Synonyms & Similar 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
Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Fake Wedding follows two broke singles who throw a fake wedding to cash in on the registry and the very real problems the make-believe couple encounters.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Mar. 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
As a bonus, this reusable fake is a fun prop to keep around for make-believe health care provider visits.
—Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Fake Wedding follows two broke singles who throw a fake wedding to cash in on the registry and the very real problems the make-believe couple encounters.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-believe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-believe
Adjective
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The imaginary elements of the story — the witches, and the university — stem from growing up with my father, and reading novels by Julio Verne and Emilio Salgari.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
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New York is a realm of fantasy and myth, obsession and resentment, fear and bewilderment for many who’ve never set foot in it; and many who live here also purvey and perpetuate some version of the imaginary city.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
Noun
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But the pace of adoption makes the possibility feel less like fiction and more like a warning.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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The Edgar Awards announced the 2025 winners on May 1 The awards honor the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television The association also gave out a selection of special awards at the ceremony The winners of the 2025 Edgar Allan Poe Awards are here!—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The two stars of the Emmy-winning 1990s romantic comedy series Northern Exposure, set in the zany fictitious town of Cicely, Alaska, are adding their names to the avalanche of television stars binging their old shows, offering commentary about the storylines and sharing behind-the-scenes tales.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
6 May 2025
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Later on, Weekend Update featured a trio of guest appearances from Bowen Yang who resurrected his recurring Chinese trade minister Chen Biao, Emil Wakim and his notes on American patriotism and Sarah Sherman as Jost’s fictitious accountant Dawn Altman.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Unlike simulations, real-world production environments provide the richest datasets for uncovering inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.—
Matthew Putman,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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In a hiring simulation, managers who didn't use AI themselves were less likely to hire candidates who regularly used AI tools.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Also surmised by the movie trailer is that the plot surrounds fictional driver Sonny Hayes, played by actor Brad Pitt.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
4 May 2025
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Focus Features Papal conclaves have inspired several books and films Released in 2024, the movie Conclave, based on the 2016 novel of the same name, focuses on the fictional death of a Pope and the subsequent election process.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
3 May 2025
Noun
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The domesticity that Bix and Cass get to experience here is a cruelly poor imitation.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2025
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Becca’s disintegration emphasizes the parts of her that endure; the avatar, on the other hand, is a parody of that real flesh, an uncanny and malevolent imitation.—
Alexandra Kleeman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Chicago Bears, unofficial offseason champs more than once in recent years, could be pushing for another mythical crown.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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For the uninitiated, these mythical concepts, Vril and Agartha, both originate in books.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At the center of the initiative to organize legal representation for the Venezuelans is Michelle Brané, an attorney and longtime immigrants’-rights advocate who helped lead the effort to locate the families separated at the border during the first Trump Administration.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
2 May 2025
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His family said Holden was not given legal representation.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-believe. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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