COUNTERFEIT Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of counterfeit are fake , fraud , humbug , imposture , and sham . While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable. // 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

Q: In what contexts can 'fake' take the place of 'counterfeit'?

The synonyms fake and counterfeit 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fraud' instead of 'counterfeit'?

In some situations, the words fraud and counterfeit are roughly equivalent. However, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth. // the diary was exposed as a fraud

Q: Where would 'humbug' be a reasonable alternative to 'counterfeit'?

The meanings of humbug and counterfeit largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent. // creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

Q: When might 'imposture' be a better fit than 'counterfeit'?

The words imposture and counterfeit 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 'counterfeit'?

The words sham and counterfeit can be used in similar contexts, but sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action. // condemned the election as a sham

counterfeit 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌfit

Definition of counterfeit

as in fake

being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud counterfeit currency that had been passed all over town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in double

not being or expressing what one appears to be or express when it comes to the poor, his compassion is so counterfeit—he gives a damn, and that's all that he gives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counterfeit

2 of 3

noun

as in hoax

an imitation that is passed off as genuine the will as well as the other documents turned out to be counterfeits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

original

counterfeit

3 of 3

verb

as in to fake

to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive an expert at counterfeiting money

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of managing to counterfeit a happy expression while visiting a sick friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of counterfeit are fake, fraud, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

In what contexts can fake take the place of counterfeit?

The synonyms fake and counterfeit 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 is it sensible to use fraud instead of counterfeit?

In some situations, the words fraud and counterfeit are roughly equivalent. However, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

Where would humbug be a reasonable alternative to counterfeit?

The meanings of humbug and counterfeit largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than counterfeit?

The words imposture and counterfeit 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 counterfeit?

The words sham and counterfeit can be used in similar contexts, but 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 counterfeit

Adjective

Cyber criminals are using highly convincing counterfeit audio, video, and identity fabrications as tools in ways that conventional detection methods will fail to identify. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The big panels themselves were jammed — too jammed, with hundreds reportedly unable to get inside Hall H amid unconfirmed rumors of counterfeit wristbands. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026

Noun

To me, the result didn’t taste like a cheap counterfeit but a breakthrough. — Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026 Unprosecuted crimes against the public — such as the widespread sale of 78-cent postage stamps for 19 cents to 59 cents, rolls of 100, counterfeits all, for years online. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

Verb

There have been a lot of studies on counterfeiting conducted with customs and police, but these have mostly focused on the scale of the problem. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 26 May 2026 This true-crime period thriller from Limitless director Napper is about the 1920s hustler who pulled off one of history’s boldest financial frauds, an ingenious scheme to legally counterfeit Portugal’s currency. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterfeit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeit

Adjective

Jump scares, dudes with chainsaws, fake blood and adult drinks accentuated with gummy worms.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Days later, Britain’s AI Security Institute said that Anthropic’s most advanced AI model had used fake identities to cover its tracks and attempt to plant malicious code during testing.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fake

Noun

Wheatland police later described the incident as a hoax and said the department and Yuba County Sheriff’s Office were investigating its source.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
While Locke failed in that regard, his articles live on as one of the most famous media hoaxes.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hoax

Verb

However, City have now forged ahead after agreeing a package worth £65million for the 26-year-old.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The customer favorite is forged from iron, polypropylene, and wood, and provides a haven from wind, rain, and sun.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of forge

Verb

The two are only able to unlock a new understanding of each other by pretending to be strangers meeting for the first time.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
One, a 35-year-old man, pretended to be a San Francisco 49ers player or a wealthy real estate investor, the Department of Justice said.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pretend

Adjective

The lawsuit filed by two former employees contains allegations that are false, misleading, and unsupported by credible evidence.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Zucker provided false and misleading statements to investigators, according to a summary of findings released Wednesday.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of false

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counterfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeit. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of counterfeit

adjective

noun

verb

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