as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
zoomed around the house in a make-believe car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fiction
Related 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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of make-believe
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
But just as much of its humor came from portraying displays of everyday decency as the stuff of Hollywood make-believe, on par with the cinematic catharsis of a high-stakes Damon vehicle.
—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
The borders between real life and make-believe should be high, Larry concluded, because the emotions surrounding the former can easily kill the fragile art of the latter.
—
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-believe
Adjective
Tesshi Nakagawa’s scenic design is like a toy kingdom that induces the audience into a state of make-believe.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
But just as much of its humor came from portraying displays of everyday decency as the stuff of Hollywood make-believe, on par with the cinematic catharsis of a high-stakes Damon vehicle.
—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Noun
All jobs have a performative aspect to them, but when people engage in make-believe in exchange for money, there’s often a devaluation of that work.
—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
The borders between real life and make-believe should be high, Larry concluded, because the emotions surrounding the former can easily kill the fragile art of the latter.
—
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-believe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-believe
Adjective
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In an age of visual and underground detection, why am I delayed at a traffic signal waiting for an imaginary vehicle to enter the intersection?
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This was long before the days of mo-cap or green screens, and acting with imaginary scene partners was far from the norm.
Noun
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Weir takes readers on an adventure through this science-fiction survival story about a junior high science teacher who wakes up aboard a spaceship with amnesia.
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Crisis and renewal are strictly a matter of marketing now, a fiction that permanently assigns the Democrats the role of technocrats managing national decline while Republicans get to stand for muscular optimism and economic expansion.
Adjective
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Aside from the fictional King Kong, who first appeared in a 1933 film atop the skyscraper, others in real life legally — and illegally — climbed the famous skyscraper.
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In honor of The Bear’s final season, Jono Pandolfi’s signature white and toasted clay dinnerware (featured in the fictional restaurant) is 15% off.
Noun
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Rather, those with lower incomes and who earn lower returns are much likelier in Morningstar’s simulation to clean their accounts out, using the cash to buy a car, pay for an education or just make ends meet.
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The simulation found that stress on two of the three fault segments had reached or exceeded the highest levels seen during the past 1,000 years.
Adjective
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The book traces the fictitious Yeoman family’s evolution over generations from self-sufficient homesteaders to participants in global markets.
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Hosting its usual presentation at its headquarters, located a stone’s throw from San Babila square, the brand installed video walls that broadcast a fictitious runway show created with the help of AI.
Noun
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And the guy who loved John Wayne movies and came to do a fine imitation reckoned his should be in that spirit.
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In fact, the pursuit of a truly American design style—one that turns away from imitation and toward exploration—has been a focus for architects since this country was founded.
Adjective
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But a wiser course might be to emphasize a kind of counter-nostalgia, reclaiming a mythic past for the forces of tolerance and democratic generosity.
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Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.
Noun
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While size representation edged upward on paper, conversations throughout the season were dominated by the return of extreme body ideals, which don’t necessarily show up in our data.
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Their menu is seasonal and slightly whimsical while retaining a clear vision, a good representation of the many personalities that make up the Kimball House team.
Cite this Entry
“Make-believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-believe. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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