as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
zoomed around the house in a make-believe car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fiction
Synonyms & Similar Words
make believe
3 of 3phrase
as in pretend
to present a false appearance of
He made believe he was sick to get out of going to school.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of make-believe
Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023
The internet provided a fertile new stage for my proclivity for make-believe.
—Kira Homsher, Longreads, 14 Mar. 2023
Haley Strack, National Review, 19 Sep. 2024
Now all those slips were stuffed into a cigar box, then placed in a miniature grave in a make-believe burial.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for make-believe 
Adjective
Yet in the past, intimate scenes in theater, film and television were rarely treated with the same mindfulness as a make-believe duel.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023
The internet provided a fertile new stage for my proclivity for make-believe.
—Kira Homsher, Longreads, 14 Mar. 2023
Noun
Children are supposed to be shielded from harsh realities, to be happily preoccupied with make-believe, to have their innocence protected.
—Haley Strack, National Review, 19 Sep. 2024
Now all those slips were stuffed into a cigar box, then placed in a miniature grave in a make-believe burial.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for make-believe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-believe
Adjective
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Then, as the game clock ticked closer to zero, Young dribbled the clock out, blew in his hand and rolled imaginary die on the massive Knicks’ midcourse logo.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
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The outdoor areas –in addition to providing the energetic kids room to run, play and even pedal tricycles around imaginary tracks — are essential parts of the learning experience and development of motor skills.Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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As the first Black winner of a RITA Award for romantic fiction, Ryan has written bestselling books that showcase beautiful, multifaceted, and nuanced characters.Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 18 Dec. 2024
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On the power of seeing and being seen. … Paperback fiction 1.The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Advertisement Now, roughly six months later, prosecutors in Ventura County are alleging Boyer attempted to register various fictitious felines to vote in the months preceding the November election.Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
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In fact, others say Hollywood has become inhospitable to Israelis, even fictitious ones.Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Test Fire Simulation will put visitors beneath a rocket engine and into a simulation that includes sounds, lights and a cooling mist.Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
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After consuming mindless content like social media, refresh your mental energy with challenging activities—read a complex article, take a professional course or play a strategic game (like chess or a business simulation).Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Both my fictional White House staff and the viewing public recognized at the time that this was not President Bartlet’s finest hour.Martin Sheen, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
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The fictional community is said to have a population of about 600 people, but just 120 chairs were purchased for the ceremony, according to Tony Devenyi, the show’s production designer.Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The orange flavor came through much stronger than expected on the cauliflower, a nice surprise for a dish that appeared to be standard, imitation sesame chicken.Joe Guillen, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
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Each was a sui generis figure, pretty much resistant to imitation or classification.Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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When to book Kayak confirms what USA TODAY has mentioned before: there's no mythical best time to book anymore.Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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There’s its mythical leader as represented in creepy murals; the Egan family, whose members speak with religious fervor about capitalist enterprise; and Mark’s boss Mr. Milchick, played by series breakout Tramell Tillman, whose dance moves from a sinisterly awkward office party went viral.Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Wall Street's second-largest exchange now faces a dramatic shift in its push for diverse board leadership representation.Kori Hale, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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With multidimensional characters, juicy storylines, and Black culture front and center, The Gates will have impactful representation, one of the key touchstones of the venture.Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near make-believe
Cite this Entry
“Make-believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-believe. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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