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
Though the president has been blasting the ongoing affordability crisis as a hoax since late last year, polls show Americans largely blame him for skyrocketing prices. — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 There is some speculation that the coup was a hoax, however, as Roy Bates was later represented in court by one of Sealand’s Dutch occupiers. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Verb
Kansas State University First day of classes interrupted by Hale Library hoax. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Six universities, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, had hoax active shooter call threats. — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Aug. 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
  • Luxus focuses on pristine-condition assets with clear provenance, reducing risks associated with counterfeits and quality degradation.
    — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • To me, the result didn’t taste like a cheap counterfeit but a breakthrough.
    — Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Verb
  • These fraudulent sites often mimic legitimate stores or rank high in search results, tricking desperate consumers into buying non-existent AC units.
    — Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • The revenge story saw Tucker's exes convincing Snow's Kate to trick the ladies' man into falling in love with her.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • And what happens to someone who’s been outed like that, as a fake?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services has warned that people can easily obtain fakes; in 2010, Puerto Rico invalidated all its existing birth certificates, citing rampant fraud and identity theft.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of fake
Verb
  • Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price; the flats boast a luxe look thanks to their low profile and—of course—glove silhouette.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • The fluffy blooms on mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) look pretty in pink, but don’t be fooled by their dainty appearance.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Both the duvet cover and shams have a sateen finish, and an ultra-soft, lived-in feel.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Kristjánsson pointed out that the whole thing was kind of a sham.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Definition of sham
Verb
  • Part of the robot’s training was to handle situations in which its handlers have deliberately deceived it.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • With or without Balogun, the co-host will be feeling confident against a Belgium team that has flattered to deceive in this tournament so far.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of deceive
Noun
  • On Wednesday, a Wayne County jury acquitted Hamtramck City Councilmember Mohammed Hassan of both felony counts of election law forgery and forging a signature on an absentee ballot application.
    — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Federal law strictly prohibits the publication of nonconsensual intimate imagery, including digital forgeries, and most states have passed criminal laws.
    — Bhakti Mirchandani, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of forgery
Noun
  • Even today, students can tell you that the biggest phony in the book is Holden himself.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • At Dodger Stadium at the end of April, Crow-Amstrong also had to deal with the consequences of his actions — ripping Los Angeles Dodgers fans for being phonies in a Chicago magazine article that went viral.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 22 May 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hoax for Spanish Speakers

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