FAKERIES Synonyms: 422 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fake 1 of 4

adjective

ˈfāk

Definition of fake next

as in counterfeit

being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud arrested for peddling "designer" watches that were fake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in synthetic

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials opposed to the unnecessary killing of animals, she'll consider wearing only fake furs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mock

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality the boss's pitiful attempts at humor were met with fake laughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in double

not being or expressing what one appears to be or express the fake friendliness of the sales rep made me want to gag

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fake

2 of 4

noun (1)

as in hoax

an imitation that is passed off as genuine experts declared that one of the museum's prized paintings was actually a fake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

original

as in fraud

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise a hidden-camera investigation revealed that the so-called psychic was a fake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fake

3 of 4

verb

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

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of while running for class president, Dan was not above faking friendship with people just to get their votes

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to concoct

to perform, make, or do without preparation if you give me the gist of the plan, I can probably fake enough for the speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

fakery

4 of 4

noun (2)

as in deception

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery if the product were any good, the company wouldn't have to resort to fakery to get people to buy it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

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

To skirt age restrictions on online gambling, students may be borrowing credentials of older family members, betting on offshore platforms or using fake IDs, teachers CNBC spoke with said. —

Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026 In 2017, Matthew Herrick sued the dating app Grindr after his ex-boyfriend used fake profiles to harass Herrick and send hundreds of strangers to his home. —

Shannon Bond, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026

Noun

In this clip, Simpson got his head around after the play fake, saw the backside underneath defender run with the through route. —

Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 But first, my favorite shot from last week’s episode had nothing to do with Christian Hubicki pooping his pants, or Christian Hubicki fake-falling at Tribal Council, or Christian Hubicki freaking out after finding a Boomerang idol. —

Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 2026

Verb

Luka Doncic, with the eyes of five defenders fixed on him in the paint, faked a lob pass. —

Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026 Hours later, Mila finally broke the news to her family, admitting the whole thing was faked. —

Hannah Malach, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026

Noun

At a moment in history when politicians shamelessly promote conspiracies using AI fakery as evidence, the film is on point in its depiction of media manipulation. —

Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025 Well, in some ways a lot of Dylan’s fakery of his own bio has always been very amusing. —

Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fake

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake

Adjective

Edwards would set aside coins that couldn't be cashed — including foreign or counterfeit currency — and take them home.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
But the story wasn't done, and the creators have returned with a full-on movie, set during World War II, with the Nazis using counterfeit money to destabilize England's economy.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026

Definition of counterfeit

Browse Nearby Words

faiths

fake

faked

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to fake

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fake

adjective

noun (1)

verb

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

9 Words for Impostors

Words We're Watching: 'Deepfake'

'Kayfabe': It's Illusive and Elusive

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fake

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cotton

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of fake

adjective

noun (1)

verb

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing fake

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to fake

9 Words for Impostors

Words We're Watching: 'Deepfake'

'Kayfabe': It's Illusive and Elusive

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fake

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cotton

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes