fake 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfāk How to pronounce fake (audio)
Definition of fakenext
1
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

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2
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

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3
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality the boss's pitiful attempts at humor were met with fake laughter

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4
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

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fake

2 of 3

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

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2
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

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fake

3 of 3

verb

1
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

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2
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

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3
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

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4
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

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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

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
The action has a satisfying crunch, thanks in part due to Wingard’s delight in dousing his actors in buckets of fake blood. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026 And shortly after that, all these fake games are forgotten and the rest of it turns real. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
Trump’s improbable rise to political dominance, which polls failed to register in the lead-up to the 2016 election, is a clear testament to that reality, and now Michigan has shown how similar head fakes can occur on the left. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 The employee framed by a fake inherits the job of proving a negative. — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Verb
Despite the initial awkwardness, Olive and Adam later agree to fake date to ensure Anh will pursue things with her crush Jeremy, someone Olive once had a crush on, now knowing Olive has since moved on. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 Olive actually kisses professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman) — who accepts her proposal to fake date. — Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake
  1. counterfeit
  2. faux
  3. mock
  4. double
  5. hoax
  6. fraud
  7. forge
  8. pretend
Adjective
  • In February, detectives received a tip that counterfeit goods were being stored and sold from a home on the 3100 block of Northwest 81st Terrace, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said in an arrest affidavit.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Families typically will have no way of knowing what materials are inside counterfeit products.
    — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Adjective
  • Dash, 2026, the forty-seven-minute, two-channel essay-film at the project’s core, is filled with quiet, almost meditative scenes of machines tilling the land that initially conjure a faux-pastoral aesthetic register.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • These best-selling boots are the perfect pairing for your faux-suede purse.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of faux
Adjective
  • The outfit consisted of a sleeveless, mock-neck blouse in mocha-brown, tucked into a tawny suede skirt that hit just above her ankles.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mirroring the look of King’s footwear, Osaka sported a metallic silver pleated top with a mock neckline and no sleeves.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Adjective
  • The black walnut double staircase in the center hall foyer has carved lions.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The formula includes lactic acid, a chemical exfoliator that breaks down dead skin, for a double dose of skin-smoothing power.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of double
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
Noun
  • Colorado has no shortage of important legal priorities, from protecting consumers against fraud to addressing the complex issues facing families and businesses across the state.
    — Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
  • So far, only one conviction has come out of the sweeping fraud investigation of Loretto’s former executives.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraud
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

Phrases Containing fake

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Cite this Entry

“Fake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fake. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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