imposture

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of imposture are counterfeit, fake, fraud, humbug, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," 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 counterfeit a more appropriate choice than imposture?

While in some cases nearly identical to imposture, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When would fake be a good substitute for imposture?

The meanings of fake and imposture largely overlap; however, 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

Where would fraud be a reasonable alternative to imposture?

While the synonyms fraud and imposture are close in meaning, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When is it sensible to use humbug instead of imposture?

In some situations, the words humbug and imposture are roughly equivalent. However, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When can sham be used instead of imposture?

The synonyms sham and imposture are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 imposture The widened circle of winking insiders was no longer so exotic and alluring, the imposture of Bourbaki’s mathematics no longer so exciting. Michael Barany, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2021 Body Double Long before the imposture of Anna Delvey, the Tichborne Claimaint swept a nation’s imagination. JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024 Because such people are both brand-conscious and unable to detect the real thing, Miss Manners would be inclined to let the imposture pass. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2023 This imposture cows the enemy, but Hector slays Patroclus anyway, sealing everyone’s fate. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 The print revolution’s past and future, valuing an empire’s impact, a saga of inheritance and imposture from Zadie Smith, and more. Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2023 Buy Now: Desertion on Bookshop | Amazon The Fraud, Zadie Smith (Sept. 5) Zadie Smith’s sixth novel—and first historical one—is inspired by the Tichborne Trial, a controversial case of imposture that divided Victorian England. Shannon Carlin, Time, 23 Aug. 2023 The narrator is an antihero with a genius for imposture. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 By the end, this newly bold Portia, empowered by imposture, is more singer than speaker. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposture
Noun
  • In the beginning, each player is secretly assigned as either a Faithful or a Traitor, setting the stage for an intense game of deception, strategy and survival.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • After weeks of treachery and deception, the final roundtable has been viewed, and the winner or winners for The Traitors Season 3 have been revealed.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • And while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, affinity and envy aren’t enough to explain the abruptness and totality of the Trump administration’s adoption of every Russian position.
    Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Sage, cloves, garlic, pepper, green pepper, imitation vanilla, and some herbs tend to take on a strong, bitter flavor.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That is how CrossFit die-hards who dabble in Qanon quackery and blame wildfires on space lasers end up as the face of the House GOP.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • But the thought of a person who spreads the kind of dishonesty, quackery and junk science that Kennedy habitually does — especially about our precious kiddos — is nothing short of stomach churning.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The ones who worked in fiction are coming to us, but most of them already came.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Here are our favorite transgender mice in fiction, from least to most transgender.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • While scrutiny of public finance decisions is always welcome, outright duplicity regarding the city’s fiscal plan is a disservice to the residents and businesses that depend on critical infrastructure funded by municipal bonds.
    Pat Dowell, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
  • In her four years on Bravo, the baby girl of Summer House has experienced duplicity, vitriol, and audacity (sometimes all at once from Lindsay Hubbard), but that couldn’t have prepared her for the Peacock competition series.
    Zoë Haylock, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington under the pretense of negotiating a peace deal.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • But in the media-state singularity, there is not even the pretense of space between the two worlds.
    Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • This year’s index ranks countries based on ten measures, including pay, education, parental leave, and representation in leadership roles.
    Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Podcaster Kenny Beecham and his Enjoy Basketball media and lifestyle brand have signed with WME for representation in all areas.
    Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imposture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposture. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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