FAKE Synonyms: 325 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fake 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfāk

Definition of fake next

as in faux

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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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

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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original

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

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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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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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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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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For

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fake documents

counterfeit documents

falsified documents

fraudulent documents

phony documents

bogus documents

a fake identity

a falsified identity

a fraudulent identity

a counterfeit identity

a fictitious identity

a feigned identity

fake news

bogus news

phony news

inaccurate news

incorrect news

untruthful news

a fake smile

an inauthentic smile

a feigned smile

a hollow smile

a counterfeit smile

a phony smile

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

Examples 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 show uses every trick in the book from fake snow (actually soap suds) raining down on the audience to towering puppets walking in, and acrobats swinging down with a huge arc of water spray fanning out from their feet behind them. —

Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 April 25: Trump is named an unindicted co-conspirator in Arizona fake election scheme charges. —

Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Taylor Swift: The mega-star singer’s name and likeness were used for celebrity endorsements, ticket scams and product giveaway scams, as well as for disinformation (Donald Trump sharing an AI fake suggesting Swift had endorsed him). —

James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Oct. 2024 Not every fake was owned by one of the most famous wrestlers of all time, though. —

Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2024

Verb

Since her appearance on Seinfeld, Walters joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as Diane Jenkins in 2001 until 2004, and then returned to the long-running series in March 2022 to reprise the role after Diane had faked her own death. —

Marina Watts, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 On a second-and-6 from the 34, Willis faked a handoff and rolled right. —

Rob Reischel, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fake

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fake

Adjective

Add a faux fur skirt or garland around the tree for an elevated approach to the decade.

Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Brands from Old Navy to Gucci have introduced burgundy into their fall collections, showing faux suede outerwear, lush sweaters and trendy footwear.

Jane Hanson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024