IMPOSTURE Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'imposture' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of imposture are counterfeit , fake , fraud , humbug , and sham . While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," 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 is 'counterfeit' a more appropriate choice than 'imposture'?

While in some cases nearly identical to imposture , counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable. // 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

Q: When would 'fake' be a good substitute for 'imposture'?

The meanings of fake and imposture largely overlap; however, 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: Where would 'fraud' be a reasonable alternative to 'imposture'?

While the synonyms fraud and imposture are close in meaning, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth. // the diary was exposed as a fraud

Q: When is it sensible to use 'humbug' instead of 'imposture'?

In some situations, the words humbug and imposture are roughly equivalent. However, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent. // creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

Q: When can 'sham' be used instead of 'imposture'?

The synonyms sham and imposture are sometimes interchangeable, but sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action. // condemned the election as a sham

imposture

noun

Definition of imposture next

as in affectation

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as in deception

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

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

While in some cases nearly identical to imposture, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When would fake be a good substitute for imposture?

The meanings of fake and imposture largely overlap; however, 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

Where would fraud be a reasonable alternative to imposture?

While the synonyms fraud and imposture are close in meaning, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When is it sensible to use humbug instead of imposture?

In some situations, the words humbug and imposture are roughly equivalent. However, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When can sham be used instead of imposture?

The synonyms sham and imposture are sometimes interchangeable, but sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposture

Noun

For the most part though, For the First Time, Again is weighed down by oversinging and emotional affectation.

— Millan Verma, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
The self-conscious aspiration to hipness here is unfortunate and decidedly not cool, but some may find such affectations quaint.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

Definition of affectation

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.

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“Imposture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposture. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 11 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of imposture

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