forgery

noun

forg·​ery ˈfȯr-jə-rē How to pronounce forgery (audio)
ˈfȯrj-rē
plural forgeries
Synonyms of forgerynext
1
: something forged
2
: an act of forging
especially : the crime of falsely and fraudulently making or altering a document (such as a check)
3
archaic : invention

Synonyms of forgery

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Examples of forgery in a Sentence

that is a cheap forgery, not an authentic Ming Dynasty vase
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
She later was charged with additional counts of perjury and fraudulent schemes, two counts of taking the identity of another, two counts of forgery and one count of theft by extortion in the second man’s case. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 The forgery count carries up to three years and/or a $5,000 fine. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 The suspect then met with a fourth man known to police from art theft and forgery cases in 2001 and 2003. — Sylvie Corbet, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 As detectives followed his trail, the suspect met with a fourth person known to authorities for art theft and forgery. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forgery

Word History

Etymology

forge entry 2 + -ery

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of forgery was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

forger
forgery
forgery bond
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgery. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

forgery

noun
forg·​ery ˈfōrj-(ə-)rē How to pronounce forgery (audio)
ˈfȯrj-
plural forgeries
1
: something (as a signature) that has been forged
2
: the crime of falsely making or changing a written paper or signing someone else's name

Legal Definition

forgery

noun
forg·​ery
plural forgeries
1
: the act of falsely making, altering, or imitating (as a document or signature) with intent to defraud
also : the crime of committing such an act
2
: something that is forged

More from Merriam-Webster on forgery

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about forgery

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