poseur

noun

Definition of poseurnext
as in pretender
disapproving a person who dresses or behaves in a deceptive way that is meant to impress other people

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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 poseur 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 Citing casual cultural interests risked being exposed as a poseur. — Dan Greene, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026 The nature of the American political system propagates scads of lawyers and poseurs who blather on endlessly, promising everything and delivering little. — Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026 Godard might have come across as a species of poseur – a pretentious, quote-spouting mountebank – but his way of seeing was genuinely new. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poseur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poseur
  1. pretender
  2. charlatan
  3. imitator
  4. impostor
  5. faker
  6. copycat
  7. mountebank
  8. impersonator
Noun
  • Next Generation premiered in September 1987, two months after Stewart’s 47th birthday, and initially struggled to catch on with Star Trek fans, many of whom considered the new cast to be pretenders to the throne.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The transfer portal can transform a contender into a pretender in a single offseason.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretender
Noun
  • Despite the claims of any number of charlatans who prey on the American brand of cuddly benighted ignorance, the universe will not manifest an alternate reality for anyone who simply wishes for it with sufficient longing.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • You and many others have been taken in by a lowlife charlatan.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of charlatan
Noun
  • Under Shanken’sleadership, Wine Spectator spawned a handful of imitators, but not a single one could hold a candle to the magazine’s style, influence, or reach.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Dee Brock created the phenomenon that went on to add billions in value to the NFL franchise and spawn imitators.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of imitator
Noun
  • The hacker set a trap designed to lure the impostor into claiming more Bitcoin.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Along with being a calf-sticking impostor, Conrad, according to Hemingway, was a malicious defamer.
    — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of impostor
Noun
  • To tell the truly venomous from the fakers, there are a couple details to help distinguish the two.
    — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of faker
Noun
  • What Could Be Next The clog’s next chapter likely depends on how far collaborations and copycats can stretch the format.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The copycat online store Fake shopping websites can look remarkably convincing.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of copycat
Noun
  • Good afternoon and welcome to Con Con, the convention for swindlers, mountebanks, and the people who love them.
    — Henry Alford, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
  • Godard might have come across as a species of poseur – a pretentious, quote-spouting mountebank – but his way of seeing was genuinely new.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Nov. 2025
Definition of mountebank
Noun
  • And the Tina Turner impersonator was far from the only participant who embraced the opportunity to dress up.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Fast-forward to the 21st century, when a Tina Turner impersonator bought the property and turned it into Magnolia Mansion, a B&B with suites with names like Vampire Lovers’ Lair and Moulin Rouge.
    — Lauren Mechling, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of impersonator

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poses (as)
poseur
poseurs
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Cite this Entry

“Poseur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poseur. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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