counterfeit 1 of 3

Definition of counterfeitnext

counterfeit

2 of 3

noun

counterfeit

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word counterfeit different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of counterfeit are fake, fraud, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

In what contexts can fake take the place of counterfeit?

The synonyms fake and counterfeit are sometimes interchangeable, but fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When is it sensible to use fraud instead of counterfeit?

In some situations, the words fraud and counterfeit are roughly equivalent. However, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

Where would humbug be a reasonable alternative to counterfeit?

The meanings of humbug and counterfeit largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than counterfeit?

The words imposture and counterfeit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

When would sham be a good substitute for counterfeit?

The words sham and counterfeit can be used in similar contexts, but sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

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 counterfeit
Adjective
Ticket Scams Fraudsters often create fake ticket websites, counterfeit tickets, and fraudulent social media listings. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026 One of the biggest concerns is that scammers will try to rip off fans with the sale of counterfeit items and services, including tickets to the 13 matches Mexico will host. Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Noun
The pair attempted to auction the counterfeit works for prices that reached as high as $160,000. News Desk, Artforum, 29 Apr. 2026 Greece, home to an extensive repository of cultural artifacts, has long contended with the proliferation of counterfeits and the looting of archaeological sites. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
People try to make money hard to counterfeit. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026 Likewise, Operation Bernhard, a Nazi plot to masterfully counterfeit millions in British currency to crash consumer confidence, stirs the plot in a fanciful direction. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeit
Adjective
  • First was a Drug Enforcement Administration badge and ID with Horsch’s photo on it, but the ID was fake, and Horsch has never worked for the DEA, according to court documents.
    Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • This game preserves the difficulty of coming up with an elaborate, consistent false narrative on the spot, and the challenge of adapting that narrative on the fly when other players present convincing (and sometimes fake) counter-evidence.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Taylor Walls recorded three hits while Chandler Simpson added a double and a single.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Resting options include double bunk beds in back and queen bed with bamboo mattress up front.
    Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • By probing his triple role as author, anthropologist and cult leader, the book asks why Americans hunger for seductive spiritual hoaxes.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
  • The Little Rock Zoo briefly stopped admitting visitors on Friday morning while authorities investigating a bomb threat that was found to be a hoax.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The future vision is to forge partnerships with OEMs, expand internationally, leverage the EV base to build a 2nd-life EV business and expand into V2G services.
    Sarwant Singh, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • As American wine continues to evolve, the story is less about competing with Europe than about forging a distinctly American identity.
    Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Barcenas' tea-sipping celebration was a tribute to Alex Morgan, one of the Wave's owners, who pretended to take a sip of tea after scoring in a match against England during the 2019 Women's World Cup.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Well, Ariana seems to remember, whereas Hudson is determined to just undo the breakup and pretend like none of it ever happened.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The charge alleges a person knowingly defrauded another by using false or misleading information to obtain money, property, credit or a loan.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Opponents of Amendment 5 have flatly called the advertisement misleading or false.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • The early copy remained tucked away in Britain’s National Archives until a volunteer cataloging records from the American Revolutionary War came across it in May among the papers of Royal Navy captains.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Julia Giarmoleo, an EPA spokesperson, said the monitors did not detect elevated metals, but would not provide a copy of the data without a federal records request.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • So Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director, who’s been busy trying to phony up charges of mortgage fraud against New York Attorney General Tish James and others, is now the acting DNI.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Counterfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeit. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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