1
as in hoax
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
tests showed that the "old" map of America was a cleverly made humbug
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
those UFO stories are a lot of humbug
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3
as in fraud
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
one humbug after another claimed to be the miraculously surviving daughter of the Russian czar
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as in to fool
to cause to believe what is untrue
humbugged into believing that the bones were the skeleton of a prehistoric human being
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humbug
Grrlscientist,
Forbes,
30 Sep. 2024
Well then, the author cannot be blamed for what might be called the worldwide humbug over the robots.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
16 Jan. 2024
Elizabeth Wolfe and Douglas S. Wood,
CNN,
21 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for humbug
Noun
These small marine reef fish are often known by the peculiar common name, the humbug damselfish (Figure 1).
—
Grrlscientist,
Forbes,
30 Sep. 2024
Well then, the author cannot be blamed for what might be called the worldwide humbug over the robots.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
16 Jan. 2024
Verb
In its verb form, to be humbugged is to be deceived or be the victim of a hoax.
—
Elizabeth Wolfe and Douglas S. Wood,
CNN,
21 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for humbug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbug
Noun
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By probing his triple role as author, anthropologist and cult leader, the book asks why Americans hunger for seductive spiritual hoaxes.
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The Little Rock Zoo briefly stopped admitting visitors on Friday morning while authorities investigating a bomb threat that was found to be a hoax.
Noun
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Even Hauser can’t rescue this culturally insensitive, stereotype-perpetuating nonsense.
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Some beer companies even make canned versions of the drink, but forget that nonsense — there is nothing better than a fresh, handmade michelada.
Noun
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Kidan pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud and conspiracy related to the purchase of a fleet of gambling boats, and in 2006 he was sentenced to nearly six years in prison.
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Google also said the devices were used for ad fraud and other digital crimes.
Verb
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Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price; the flats boast a luxe look thanks to their low profile and—of course—glove silhouette.
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The fluffy blooms on mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) look pretty in pink, but don’t be fooled by their dainty appearance.
Noun
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Luxus focuses on pristine-condition assets with clear provenance, reducing risks associated with counterfeits and quality degradation.
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To me, the result didn’t taste like a cheap counterfeit but a breakthrough.
Noun
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Granola One of the original ‘health foods,’ granola contains many nutritious ingredients, such as oats, nuts, and seeds.
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California's Central Valley, stretching some 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers), is an agricultural powerhouse that's estimated to produce 40% of the nation's fruits, nuts and other table foods, including most of its nectarines.
Noun
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Both the duvet cover and shams have a sateen finish, and an ultra-soft, lived-in feel.
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Kristjánsson pointed out that the whole thing was kind of a sham.
Verb
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Ricky Saints tricked the referee into thinking Lil Yachty used the kendo stick on him, and after traveling all the way to Riyadh, Yachty was tossed out just minutes into the match.
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Use a password manager so fake sites do not trick you into reusing passwords.
Cite this Entry
“Humbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbug. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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