TRUMPED UP Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

trumped-up 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of trumped-up

as in invented

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trumped up

2 of 2

verb

past tense of trump up

as in devised

to create or think of by clever use of the imagination parents who were always trumping up little projects for their children to do around the house

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 trumped-up

Adjective

The charge was clearly trumped-up, but Yundi was immediately taken off all Chinese stages and media and prevented from going abroad. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 22 Nov. 2023

Verb

Tran’s lawyer has called the charges trumped up and said Tran will be vindicated in the end. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 But in a statement issued by his attorney, Maluchnik denies all of that, saying the charges have been trumped up. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026 Because of the differences they are labeled as evil, incompetent, corrupt or some other trumped up charge such as antisemitic. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 Bass insisted the charges were trumped up. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026 He was forced to flee the country in the months following the election, due to trumped up conspiracy and terrorism charges presented by the government that would have led to decades in prison. — Flora Charner, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026 The crimes with which she has been charged are trumped up and her arrest is a cynical ploy by the junta headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to cling onto power. — Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025 She was elected to the country's National Assembly in 2010, only to be expelled four years later on allegations her supporters said were trumped up. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025 Although the woman-alien’s powers were trumped up to comedic effect, Estelle could not help but see that beneath its B-movie veneer, Devil Girl from Mars tapped into a looming anxiety that was palpable all around. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trumped-up

Adjective

However, many security leaders are deploying unproven, untested agentic solutions to production environments without validating how those agents interact with their networks, data or human operators.

— Lee Rossey, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Major hurdles remain, including radioactive-waste storage, high costs, unproven reactor designs and likely opposition from environmental groups and communities asked to host future facilities.

— Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of unproven

Verb

Costume designer Colleen Atwood devised the ensemble, while Ed Cubberly created the famous fiberglass muzzle, deliberately leaving it uncoated to evoke the look of dried, taut skin.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
However, a potential workaround for this was famously devised in 1994 by physicist Miguel Alcubierre, who argued that rather than using a propulsion system to accelerate the spacecraft itself, spacetime could be distorted around it.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of devised

Adjective

But in the Epsilon case, the Department of Justice (DOJ) showed how that label was being used inside a business unit that worked with fraudulent clients.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
The city alleges the nonprofit obtained a state grant through a fraudulent application and failed to properly notify officials or meet community-engagement requirements.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of fraudulent

Verb

Martha’s concocted plenty over the years, including her cider-bourbon cocktail made with apple cider, bourbon, lemon juice, ginger, and apple garnishes.

— Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026
The young lady had specially flown in from New York and Alan had concocted a piece of simple blackmail.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of concocted

Verb

Within two years, an ingenious tunnel complex was constructed, with arched ceilings and thick walls, and zigzag subterranean pathways to better absorb bomb blasts.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
And unlike other utensils with plastic or silicone handles, each tool is constructed entirely from stainless steel with an ergonomic grip.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of constructed

Adjective

The 2026 State of the Union speech stands in contrast, a speech by a mendacious demagogue who has degraded his listeners by debauching their instincts.

— Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation.

— Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026

Definition of mendacious

Verb

Motorola invented the mobile phone, but by the time Brown was handed the reins, its cellphone business had been outpaced by Nokia and Samsung.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
At 21-Across, the [American architect who invented Scrabble while unemployed during the Great Depression] is ALFRED BUTTS.

— New York Times, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of invented

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trumped-up

trumped up

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“Trumped-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trumped-up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of trumped-up

adjective

verb

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