hoax 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hoaxnext
as in counterfeit
an imitation that is passed off as genuine the skeleton of the purported ancient hominid turned out to be a hoax

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hoax

2 of 2

verb

ˈhōks How to pronounce hoax (audio)
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue a skilled forger who hoaxed the art world into believing that the paintings were long-lost Vermeers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hoax
Noun
America’s penny press transformed journalism in the 1830s, using hoaxes, sensationalism, and mass circulation to create a blueprint for modern media. — Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026 The first was the 2008 bomb threat hoax, which piqued investigators’ suspicions but resulted in no charges against Perales. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
Verb
In February, a California teenager pleaded guilty to hoax shooting and bomb threats against schools and other institutions and was sentenced to four years in federal prison on four counts of making interstate threats. — Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025 The Jussie Smollett hoax hate crime attack saga is set to be explored in a new documentary. — Peter White, Deadline, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoax
  1. counterfeit
  2. trick
  3. fake
  4. fool
  5. sham
  6. deceive
  7. forgery
  8. phony
Noun
  • The distinction between authentic and counterfeit is becoming increasingly difficult to discern.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The European Commission previously said AliExpress breached its obligations under the DSA, which required it to diligently assess and mitigate the risks of counterfeits.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 22 July 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence bots posing as immigration lawyers are increasingly prevalent on social media, where their goal is to trick immigrants and their families into paying out thousands of dollars.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Proponents argue this reveals the AI's full capabilities, including potential for cyberattacks, while critics warn of severe risks like AI wreaking havoc, creating viruses, or tricking humans.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • The second-round pass rusher made aggressive mistakes, falling twice for option fakes and overrunning a screen pass early.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The flip side • Kudos to Finland for educating students in how to discern AI deep fakes!
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fake
Verb
  • Today, some are convincing enough to fool experts, helped along by a market where documentation is scarce and comprehensive catalogs and archives are rare.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • No case illustrates the ease with which they are fooled like the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Critics dismissed the polls, held in phases in December and January, as a sham designed to consolidate the military’s grip on power while ostensibly restoring civilian rule.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Filling Decorative Pillow Shams Decorative pillow shams in guest bedrooms that get little use offer an easy way to repurpose old towels.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of sham
Verb
  • Jury Duty has managed to deceive two unsuspecting do-gooders with civic duty and a company retreat.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In this book’s scenario, an explosion at the Siberian lab sets loose a virus that has been designed to spread rapidly, deceive medical professionals, and produce a 100% fatality rate.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceive
Noun
  • Since his original conviction, the law has been tightened to allow sentences of up to five years for forgery, said Marseglia.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Darryl McCauley was sentenced to six years in prison on charges including larceny, forgery, and embezzlement; Erika McCauley was sentenced to two to three years in prison on charges including two counts of larceny.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgery
Noun
  • Haley did her a favor by being brutally honest instead of lying and being a phony.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Just as Moby-Dick is canonically about whales, Catcher is canonically about phonies.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of phony

Browse Nearby Words

hoary
hoax
hoaxed
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Cite this Entry

“Hoax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoax. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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