humbug 1 of 2

noun

ˈhəm-ˌbəg How to pronounce humbug (audio)
Definition of humbugnext
1
as in hoax
an imitation that is passed off as genuine tests showed that the "old" map of America was a cleverly made humbug

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense those UFO stories are a lot of humbug

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3
as in fraud
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise one humbug after another claimed to be the miraculously surviving daughter of the Russian czar

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humbug

2 of 2

verb

as in to fool
to cause to believe what is untrue humbugged into believing that the bones were the skeleton of a prehistoric human being

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word humbug different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of humbug are counterfeit, fake, fraud, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When would counterfeit be a good substitute for humbug?

Although the words counterfeit and humbug have much in common, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When might fake be a better fit than humbug?

The synonyms fake and humbug are sometimes interchangeable, but fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When can fraud be used instead of humbug?

The words fraud and humbug are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could imposture be used to replace humbug?

The words imposture and humbug can be used in similar contexts, but imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

When is sham a more appropriate choice than humbug?

While in some cases nearly identical to humbug, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

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 humbug
Noun
Well then, the author cannot be blamed for what might be called the worldwide humbug over the robots. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 Mean One features David Howard Thornton, known for playing Art the Clown in the Terrifier movies, as a familiar-looking green-skinned humbug in a Santa suit, living on a mountain high above the small town town of Newville. — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 July 2023
Verb
In its verb form, to be humbugged is to be deceived or be the victim of a hoax. — Elizabeth Wolfe and Douglas S. Wood, CNN, 21 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for humbug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbug
  1. hoax
  2. nonsense
  3. fraud
  4. fool
  5. counterfeit
  6. nuts
  7. sham
  8. trick
Noun
  • The telltale sign exposing the hoax is a small ALLOD label on the original image, which stands for America’s Last Line of Defense – the satire site behind the post​. That label and a satire watermark were meant to signal that the story was fictional.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • But Trump’s hoax will not work for long, given the oligarchy’s conspicuous takeover of America under Trump II.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2025
Definition of hoax
Noun
  • Describing the plot as utter nonsense would both be 100 percent correct and likely taken as a massive compliment for all involved.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
  • For Guy, using systems like Kibbe’s to guide your dress choices can mean making nonsense out of your clothes’ cultural grammar, especially in the rigidly codified world of menswear.
    — Constance Grady, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of nonsense
Noun
  • Quantum computing could allow companies to analyze risk, detect fraud, and predict market trends better than ever before.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Deputy Sheriffs are responsible for executing eviction notices, orders of protection, and investigating financial and tax fraud.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • Do not be fooled by this bill’s carve-out for masks worn for health and religious reasons.
    — Nikki Morse, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
  • This pair looks like a classic trouser, with front pleats and a relaxed leg — but don’t be fooled.
    — Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Cases of counterfeits have been rare, but with prices rising into the six- and seven-figure range, obtaining that certified guarantee is important.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Thousands of counterfeit forever stamps were blocked from entering postal circulation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Alabama, officials said.
    — Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of counterfeit
Noun
  • The property also grows its own herbs, greens, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.
    — Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • Color choices include oatmeal, cream, and silver – and the shams are sold separately.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Extended deterrence was a sham, and the people who relied on it were suckers.
    — Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of sham
Verb
  • Increasingly, criminals are able to use commonly available tools to launch sophisticated phishing scams, going as far as digitally replicating faces and voices in order to trick security systems.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Phishing is a cyber-attack that aims to trick people into divulging personal information.
    — Solcyré Burga, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of trick

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Cite this Entry

“Humbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbug. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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