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
Johansson may have been in character while wearing the shoes, but there’s nothing make-believe about their comfort. — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026 Light on its feet but quietly attuned to questions of grief, memory and make-believe, the film serves as a charming aperitif to kick off this year’s festival — a playful ode to the magic of cinema. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Phrase
So in this case, let’s make believe in some timeline that didn’t happen and my wife got a manicure that day. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 29 July 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
  • Just before the pandemic, Manhattan’s MCC Theater staged a show called All the Natalie Portmans, about a gay Black teenage cinephile who envisions the actor as a kind of manic pixie imaginary friend.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Near the end of the story, Gardner pledges to kill his imaginary son to spare him war’s toll, but backs out upon his wish to be transformed into a noble soldier.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of imaginary
Noun
  • If Russia behaved badly, that was the fault of its primitive and cruel Asian side, a notion that conveniently created the fiction that Western countries are not capable of similar cruelty.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The project is launching from Clive Barker Ink, the author’s creative imprint, and Ensata Press, a publishing imprint focusing on horror, dark fantasy and genre fiction.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of fiction
Adjective
  • Anything seemed possible in medical science breakthroughs, from repairing a fictional astronaut to reconstructing a real-life ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The fictional microstate Elgaland-Vargaland begins as an artistic game but evolves into a powerful lens on borders and identity.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of fictional
Noun
  • That impression is likely based on the overall performance, not necessarily the opening drive, which was a closer simulation of a regular-season game.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • New Connected App-Simulator Experience Full Swing, the golf simulation and performance technology company recently bought by Versant, announced a major software update that connects the Full Swing App and the Simulator experience.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of simulation
Adjective
  • The undercover analyst noted in a message that his fictitious 4-year-old brother would be home the next day, when the Perez meeting was expected.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Final testing relied on fictitious data instead of the real records of millions of residents.
    — Komal Goyal, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of fictitious
Noun
  • Told that imitation is the highest form of flattery, Steele guffaws.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Catholics in his government, from Supreme Court justices to Cabinet members to Vice President JD Vance, are acting as a rubber stamp for an imperious ruler, instead of imitations of Christ.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of imitation
Adjective
  • Consider the mythic fates of Icarus, Prometheus, Hercules—all were punished rather severely for trying to expand knowledge, to make progress.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This is the story of a group of parents who are rushing to get a Trojan mascot across the Canadian-American border by the end of the week to avoid tariffs, not a mythical monster.
    — Conor Wight, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of mythical
Noun
  • Earlier this year, a Supreme Court decision weakened a core provision of the Voting Rights Act, threatening Black political representation across the South.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The $10,000 is for a retainer for legal representation, North said, and she’s already talked to a lawyer about their concerns.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of make-believe for Spanish Speakers

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