humbug 1 of 2

noun

ˈhəm-ˌbəg How to pronounce humbug (audio)
Definition of humbugnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

humbug

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of humbug are counterfeit, fake, fraud, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When would counterfeit be a good substitute for humbug?

Although the words counterfeit and humbug have much in common, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When might fake be a better fit than humbug?

The synonyms fake and humbug 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 can fraud be used instead of humbug?

The words fraud and humbug are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could imposture be used to replace humbug?

The words imposture and humbug can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is sham a more appropriate choice than humbug?

While in some cases nearly identical to humbug, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

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

Some common synonyms of humbug are counterfeit, fake, fraud, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When would counterfeit be a good substitute for humbug?

Although the words counterfeit and humbug have much in common, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When might fake be a better fit than humbug?

The synonyms fake and humbug 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 can fraud be used instead of humbug?

The words fraud and humbug are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could imposture be used to replace humbug?

The words imposture and humbug can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is sham a more appropriate choice than humbug?

While in some cases nearly identical to humbug, 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 humbug
Noun
Well then, the author cannot be blamed for what might be called the worldwide humbug over the robots. —IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 Plump four-poster beds are covered in rich floral fabrics or set against wallpaper patterned like humbugs. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Dec. 2023
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
  1. hoax
  2. nonsense
  3. fraud
  4. fool
  5. counterfeit
  6. nuts
  7. sham
  8. trick
Noun
  • Although investigators received many tips, some were hoaxes and others didn’t lead to any developments.
    — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Some conservatives, Franz admitted, were even claiming that climate change was a Chinese hoax.
    — Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of hoax
Noun
  • Actor James Tolkan, who was Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commander in Top Gun and Marty McFly’s even less-nonsense Vice Principal in the Back to the Future films, has died.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The notion of characterizing such a move as anything more than penalizing the public — which is finally balking at more taxation — is nonsense.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of nonsense
Noun
  • The leader of the Ex-Slave Pension Association was later imprisoned on mail fraud charges, and the organization faded away, while the Eagles became one of the pressure groups that eventually led to Social Security.
    — Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • At first, the attention became so intense that Bravo was removed from the televisions inside the minimum-security camp, where Shah was serving her sentence for her role in a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • Don't let some cloudy skies fool you.
    — Brian Smith, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
  • But don’t let its stillness in the videos fool you.
    — Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Superfakes is about a small-time Chinatown luxury counterfeit dealer who enters a dangerous black-market underworld in order to fund a life of suburban respectability for her family.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
  • By 2009, Nakamoto took Bitcoin from theory to reality, mining the Genesis Block, and then, once the rules were set, protections against counterfeits were secured, and Bitcoin began to circulate—still worth next to nothing—Nakamoto vanished.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Noun
  • While 90% of food allergies involve exposure to the top nine allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, dairy/milk, eggs, sesame, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish), people can be allergic to many other foods.
    — Dr. Sonja O'Leary, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • While the Middle East isn’t as large an export market for California farmers and ranchers as Canada, the European Union or Mexico; the United Arab Emirates ranks in the top 10 as the nuts, strawberries and other products exported there are distributed across the region.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • The gauzy texture is made from organic cotton, and the decorative pillow shams have a highly dimensional stitching.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Bedsure Best Seller GentleSoft Pintuck Pinch Pleat For a one-and-done bedding upgrade, consider this set that includes sheets, a comforter, pillowcases, and shams, all for just $45.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of sham
Verb
  • Not long before Brettler's death, Sharma had learned the kid had tricked him.
    — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Read how North Korean hackers tricked Ben and got into his computer.
    — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of trick

Browse Nearby Words

humbly
humbug
humbugged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Humbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbug. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on humbug

Nglish: Translation of humbug for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of verdant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 3

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
8-track-tapes
Good Old-Fashioned Quiz Can you name these antiquated items?
See All