as if
conjunction
1
: as it would be if
It was as if he had lost his last friend.
2
: as one would do if
He ran as if ghosts were chasing him.
3
: that
It seemed as if the day would never end.
4
—used to say that something is not true, not possible, will not happen, etc.
"I am sure I am very affectionate," said Dora; "you oughtn't to be cruel to me, Doady!" "Cruel, my precious love! As if I would—or could—be cruel to you, for the world!"—
Charles Dickens
—sometimes used informally as an interjection to say that something suggested or claimed is impossible, incorrect, or ridiculously unlikely to be trueCharles DickensA simple collection of songs? As if. How about a conceptual ode to London's millennia-old history?—Craig McLean
Craig McLeanBig budgets? High-priced actresses? As if! The film cost a modest $13 million, a figure achieved by not casting stars, but rather stars-in-the-making …—Nicholas Fonseca
Nicholas FonsecaExamples of as if in a Sentence
she looked as if she wanted to ask one more question before we left
Recent Examples on the Web
Horford has upped his play recently as if preparing for the postseason.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
As the moon moved through the shadow of the Earth, it was also being illuminated by light from the sun — causing the moon to appear as if it was dipped in a deep red hue.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
Now, a new map released this week gives us a clear view of the continent as if its massive sheet of ice has been removed, revealing the hidden locations of its tallest mountains and the deepest canyons.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
The framing, blocking, and overall visual grammar have a condescending air, as if directors have surrendered to some insipid idea of who their audience is.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for as if
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Jay King, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
As the moon moved through the shadow of the Earth, it was also being illuminated by light from the sun — causing the moon to appear as if it was dipped in a deep red hue.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
Now, a new map released this week gives us a clear view of the continent as if its massive sheet of ice has been removed, revealing the hidden locations of its tallest mountains and the deepest canyons.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
The framing, blocking, and overall visual grammar have a condescending air, as if directors have surrendered to some insipid idea of who their audience is.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for as if
Cite this Entry
“As if.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/as%20if. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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