hoax 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hoaxnext
as in counterfeit
an imitation that is passed off as genuine the skeleton of the purported ancient hominid turned out to be a hoax

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hoax

2 of 2

verb

ˈhōks How to pronounce hoax (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hoax
Noun
After roughly two days of investigation, police informed the public the entire panic was driven by a hoax. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 The rapid spread of Ebola has been aided from the onset by widespread skepticism among locals who have dismissed the disease as a hoax, even attacking health workers and health facilities on multiple occasions. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
In February, a California teenager pleaded guilty to hoax shooting and bomb threats against schools and other institutions and was sentenced to four years in federal prison on four counts of making interstate threats. — Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025 The Jussie Smollett hoax hate crime attack saga is set to be explored in a new documentary. — Peter White, Deadline, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoax
  1. counterfeit
  2. trick
  3. fake
  4. fool
  5. sham
  6. deceive
  7. forgery
  8. phony
Noun
  • Here was my chance to get out of London, this counterfeit of death with its everywhere rage and its moribund culture and its smug population and its streets steeped in resentment and the sky pressing down like a chloroform rag.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The distinction between authentic and counterfeit is becoming increasingly difficult to discern.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Verb
  • That makes sense when a malicious app tricks you into installing it.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Federal prosecutors say Bailey and an associate tricked people out of $2 million from 2018 to 2022.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Brunson beats defenders with skill and not size, relying on footwork, fakes and spins that create angles to get his shot off against taller defenders.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Making the fakes harder to produce is the answer to that problem.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fake
Verb
  • The Pleiades open star cluster Don't be fooled by their beauty; the blue-white stars of the Pleiades are dripping in spooky lore.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Chiefs-Seahawks game prediction Don’t be fooled be the records.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • These sheets and shams are made from Oexo-Tex Certified Organic microfiber material that’s light but surprisingly resilient.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Plus, the set comes with two shams to complete your sanctuary.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of sham
Verb
  • But looks are deceiving in this case – just like the 3X Plus and 3X before it, the trailer stretches out via three individual telescopic segments that emerge at the push of a button.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Facebook's lawyers argued that the state failed to prove whether people were actually harmed by these deceiving statements.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of deceive
Noun
  • The forgery count carries up to three years and/or a $5,000 fine.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After allegedly killing Jett, prosecutors say, Von Ferdinand committed real estate fraud and theft on her estate, including grand theft, identity theft, forgery and filing false documents with losses over $500,000.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of forgery
Noun
  • Tartikoff’s bizarre consolation prize was the NBC presidency (and that marijuana-smoking phony Johnny Dakota would never work again).
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • In 2024, for example, one phony GoFundMe page was later shut down after collecting more than $15,000 in light of a late Saturday afternoon shooting that left nine people injured at a Rochester Hills splash pad.
    — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of phony

Browse Nearby Words

hoary
hoax
hoaxed
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Cite this Entry

“Hoax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoax. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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