pose as
Pretend you're someone
To pose as someone is to pretend to be them, usually for deceptive purposes: He posed as a doctor to gain access to the hospital, She posed as a journalist to get the interview.
The phrase implies deliberate impersonation—adopting another's identity, profession, or status to mislead others.
Assume another's identity
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- pretendAct as though
- fakeNot the real thing
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
pass for · misrepresent · deceive · impostor · fraud · con artist · catfish · infiltrate
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- undercover agentCovert infiltrator gathering intelligence
- plantBotanical organism
- sleeper agentEmbedded spy awaiting activation
covert operative · embed · deep cover · legend · handler · tradecraft · double life · secret identity
impersonate
Assume another's identity
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- pretendAct as though
- fakeNot the real thing
disguise · pass for · misrepresent · deceive · impostor · fraud · con artist · catfish · infiltrate · undercover
spy
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- undercover agentCovert infiltrator gathering intelligence
- plantBotanical organism
sleeper agent · covert operative · embed · deep cover · legend · handler · tradecraft · double life · secret identity · intelligence asset
as, pose, oppose, impose, opposition, opposed, opposing, imposing, poser