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Definition of fakenext
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fake

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noun

fake

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verb

1
as in to counterfeit
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive pranksters faked giant footprints and then claimed that they had seen Bigfoot

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
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as in to evade
to elude (an opponent in a sports contest) by making a deceptive or agile movement the running back faked the defense by stepping to his left and then quickly cutting to the right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fake are counterfeit, fraud, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," 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 could counterfeit be used to replace fake?

The meanings of counterfeit and fake largely overlap; however, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When is fraud a more appropriate choice than fake?

The synonyms fraud and fake are sometimes interchangeable, but fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

In what contexts can humbug take the place of fake?

While the synonyms humbug and fake are close in meaning, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When is it sensible to use imposture instead of fake?

The words imposture and fake 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 fake?

Although the words sham and fake have much in common, 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 fake
Adjective
Meanwhile, a California man accused of sending a fake ransom note to the family appeared in Tucson, Ariz. Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026 The shop is also offering a fake skin tattoo experience for $50, but a deposit is required. Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
In the passing game, McDaniel uses a wide array of play-action fakes to suck linebackers toward the line of scrimmage, creating windows in the middle of the field. Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Too sweet to be true, he is seen as a corporate fake marketed to children by The Man. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
After faking a slap shot, Kucherov had sent a pass down to Guentzel. Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026 Some direct victims to fake IRS login pages designed to steal credentials. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
Adjective
  • Estée Lauder is suing Walmart in federal court alleging that the retailer sold counterfeit versions of the cosmetic company's fragrance and skin care products in its online store.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Estée Lauder is suing Walmart, claiming that the big-box retailer sold counterfeit beauty products on its online marketplace.
    Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Ideal for the ultimate no-makeup makeup look, for which Westman is known, the innovative blush harnesses biomimicry pigment technology, which lessens the risk of inflammation by encapsulating the synthetic pigments in the blush.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
  • And the best way to sidestep that is by picking a pair of socks made from a moisture-wicking blend—ideally a combination of merino wool (at least 50 percent) and synthetic materials.
    Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Pharmacy technician students practice compounding mock medications such as lip balms and creams.
    Wilborn P. Nobles III, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The oversized mock-neck sweater tucks chicly into the pencil-leg pants, primed for rolling at the hems and styling with chunky sneakers for long travel days.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Haaland scored from the spot to secure City’s first victory in front of supporters at Anfield since 2003 and their first league double over Liverpool since 1936-37.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The top two seeds for the eight-team conference tournament receive double-byes into the semifinals, a significant advantage in a league that typically sends only its tournament champ to the 68-team NCAA Tournament.
    Oc Register, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • His thinking was contradictory at times but extensive; if this was a hoax, the execution was quite good.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The former agent suggested this could mean the kidnappers may be from overseas or that the note is a hoax.
    Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Officials allege Redzepagic — who recently lived in Florida — was involved in a fraud scheme between May 2021 and March 2025.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
  • French police have detained nine people in relation to a ticketing fraud scheme that may have cost the Louvre €10 million ($12 million).
    News Desk, Artforum, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Fiction is the amalgam that allows disparate elements to forge a whole.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But without a finished 10th novel to work from (Gabaldon is currently in progress on her final Outlander volume, called A Blessing for a Warrior Going Out), Roberts and team had to toe a fine line between honoring the essence of the book series and forging their own path forward.
    Amy Wilkinson, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • By age 2, most kids know how to play pretend.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Chris Kreider, winger, B+ Jacob Trouba, defenseman, B+ Both players were jettisoned by the New York Rangers, who sunk in the standings and have continued selling off after pretending as though their leadership group was the issue.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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