fake
Mere cheap imitation
Fake describes something made to look genuine but isn't—a fake ID, fake fur, fake news.
As a noun, it's either the counterfeit object itself or a person who pretends to be something they're not: He's a total fake.
The verb means to falsify or counterfeit, but also simply to pretend: She faked enthusiasm for the gift.
To fake it till you make it means projecting confidence until genuine competence develops.
To fake someone out is to deceive them with a feint or misdirection.
Fraudulent person or thing
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- hollowEmpty within
- falseNot matching reality
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
hypocritical · duplicitous · plastic · slick · superficial · performative · lip service · crocodile tears
Deed or performance
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- guiseExternal manner shown
front · pose · show · veneer · affectation · posturing · pretension · performance
Unauthorized replica product
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- copyIdentical reproduction made
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- reproductionCopying or procreation
clone · lookalike · facsimile · duplicate · simulacrum · ersatz · pseudo · bootleg
Currency for transactions
- currencyMedium of exchange
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- banknotesPaper currency notes
- documentsFormal written records
bills · passports · IDs · diplomas · credentials · certificates · signatures · artwork
Intentional criminal trickery
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- conArgument against
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
trickery · ruse · scheme · hustle · grift · bamboozle · dupe · charlatan
False data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- clickbaitSensationalized content for traffic
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
fabrication · hoax · satire · deepfake · manipulation · fact-check · debunk · viral
Headfirst water entry
- flopComplete commercial failure
- simulationImitation of real processes
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
time-wasting · injury · foul · penalty · yellow card · VAR · acting
phony
Fraudulent person or thing
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- hollowEmpty within
- falseNot matching reality
two-faced · hypocritical · duplicitous · plastic · slick · superficial · performative · lip service · crocodile tears · empty promises
act
Deed or performance
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
guise · front · pose · show · veneer · affectation · posturing · pretension · performance · playacting
knockoff
Unauthorized replica product
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- copyIdentical reproduction made
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
reproduction · clone · lookalike · facsimile · duplicate · simulacrum · ersatz · pseudo · bootleg · pirated
money
Currency for transactions
bills · documents · passports · IDs · diplomas · credentials · certificates · signatures · artwork · antiquities
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
hoax · trickery · ruse · scheme · hustle · grift · bamboozle · dupe · charlatan · impostor
misinformation
False data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- clickbaitSensationalized content for traffic
tabloid · fabrication · hoax · satire · deepfake · manipulation · fact-check · debunk · viral · sensationalism
dive
Headfirst water entry
- flopComplete commercial failure
- simulationImitation of real processes
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
theatrics · time-wasting · injury · foul · penalty · yellow card · VAR · acting
illness
State of poor health
death · emotions · tears · smile · enthusiasm · interest · surprise · ignorance · accent · sympathy
- fake itPretend to know
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- fake smileFeigned expression of happiness
- fake teethArtificial replacement chompers
- fake IDFraudulent identity document
- faking itPerforming authenticity without possessing it
faked, faker, faking, fakes, fakery, fakers, fakest, unfaked, fakeries