as in counterfeit
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the skeleton of the purported ancient hominid turned out to be a hoax
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
a skilled forger who hoaxed the art world into believing that the paintings were long-lost Vermeers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hoax
Riann Phillip, Vogue, 11 June 2025
The hoax of further democratizing what was always implicitly democratic relies on sham logic.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2023
Related:Teen jailed after bomb threat hoax AirDropped to American Airlines passengers in El Paso The passenger was traveling with a companion and both were unharmed, though their clothes were soiled with food and wine.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Noun
He’s even inspired a few imitators, from hoaxes on TikTok to the actual Timothée Chalamet arriving to his own red-carpet premiere by bike.
—Riann Phillip, Vogue, 11 June 2025
The hoax of further democratizing what was always implicitly democratic relies on sham logic.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
Verb
Advertisement How aspiring Indian entrepreneurs and students were hoaxed in the quest for funding The World Startup Convention was originally scheduled for Jan. 14-16., before it was postponed to March 24-26.
—Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2023
Related:Teen jailed after bomb threat hoax AirDropped to American Airlines passengers in El Paso The passenger was traveling with a companion and both were unharmed, though their clothes were soiled with food and wine.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hoax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoax
Noun
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But the errors on the alleged counterfeits aren’t the only reason that Levi’s believes PBG carried out its actions willfully and with knowledge.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
8 May 2025
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The department said that U.S. consumers spend more than $100 billion every year on knock off goods, falling victim to approximately 20% of the counterfeits that are illegally sold worldwide.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
Madeline is pissed that Riri brought that kind of energy into their sacred space and Ronnie is mad at Riri for tricking her into getting her there then embarrassing her in front of company.—
Stacia Brown,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
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Social engineering and phishing: Scammers trick users into giving away their contact information.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
In a market flooded with uniformity, a culture hellbent on sameness, and a luxury space increasingly shaped by dupes, secondhand finds, and super fakes, working with an artist can be a refreshing alternative, making the object feel less like a purchase and more like an heirloom.—
Brett Braley,
Robb Report,
18 June 2025
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And not just shooting the shot, but using it to create space for my teammates or using a shot fake to create a different shot for myself or a drive to kick.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
Verb
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His impersonation is so convincing that Lu and Shin are initially fooled.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
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Don’t let the size fool you—this ultra-compact charger delivers impressive speed and efficiency for its footprint.—
Becca Blond,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
Noun
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All sets come with two matching pillow shams to complete your bedroom look.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
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The basics that all comforter sets include are the comforter and one pillow sham, with some sets including an extra sham.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Step two: Defend against junk fees These nefarious fees are designed either to confuse or deceive consumers.—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
7 July 2025
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Several state legislators and other state officials will testify that they were deceived by the conspirators regarding the operations of Phoenix Solutions, according to prosecutors.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Milan Milos Djuric, 24, was charged with one count of corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony; eight counts of Level 6 felony fraud; three counts of Level 6 felony forgery, and one count of Level 6 felony auto theft.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
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Court records viewed by the Dispatch say Sierra was arrested on May 19 and charged with felony forgery.—
Shahid Meighan,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
Noun
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The second batch of players then play a comp to find the missing relic amid a sea of phonies.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
10 July 2025
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The movie lacks a lot of Shepherd’s biting sarcasm and cynicism, because this book does pine for the good old days while also pointing out how adults then, and now, are a bunch of phonies.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hoax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoax. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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