as in hoaxes
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the will as well as the other documents turned out to be counterfeits
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fakes
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive
an expert at counterfeiting money
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in pretends
to present a false appearance of
managing to counterfeit a happy expression while visiting a sick friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterfeits
Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
By 2009, Nakamoto took Bitcoin from theory to reality, mining the Genesis Block, and then, once the rules were set, protections against counterfeits were secured, and Bitcoin began to circulate—still worth next to nothing—Nakamoto vanished.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
While many online retailers and marketplaces have taken steps to address the marketing of counterfeits, others still haven’t put the requisite measures in place—like notice and takedown procedures, identity verification and policies to punish offenders—that would curb the behavior.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
Each item passes through a multi-step process combining advanced imaging, database cross-references, and final expert verification, a hybrid system that eliminates bias, minimizes error, and safeguards agains increasingly sophisticated counterfeits.
—Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Do carve out a spot for the Mongkok market, with its colorful juxtaposition of souvenirs, food, fashions — beware of counterfeits, though — with live fish and even birds.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 2025
Safe handling and charging are indeed crucial, but what’s even more important is trying to keep counterfeits out of the supply chain.
—Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Nov. 2025
While fake goods have exchanged hands in informal markets since ancient times, the growth of online marketplaces has contributed to the rise in counterfeits because of how easy online shopping and selling have become.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Zhang said more companies may face lawsuits from Pop Mart over Lafufus, but counterfeits might also decrease as Pop Mart ramps up its production.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
Greece, home to an extensive repository of cultural artifacts, has long contended with the proliferation of counterfeits and the looting of archaeological sites.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
By 2009, Nakamoto took Bitcoin from theory to reality, mining the Genesis Block, and then, once the rules were set, protections against counterfeits were secured, and Bitcoin began to circulate—still worth next to nothing—Nakamoto vanished.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
While many online retailers and marketplaces have taken steps to address the marketing of counterfeits, others still haven’t put the requisite measures in place—like notice and takedown procedures, identity verification and policies to punish offenders—that would curb the behavior.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
Each item passes through a multi-step process combining advanced imaging, database cross-references, and final expert verification, a hybrid system that eliminates bias, minimizes error, and safeguards agains increasingly sophisticated counterfeits.
—Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Do carve out a spot for the Mongkok market, with its colorful juxtaposition of souvenirs, food, fashions — beware of counterfeits, though — with live fish and even birds.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 2025
Safe handling and charging are indeed crucial, but what’s even more important is trying to keep counterfeits out of the supply chain.
—Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Nov. 2025
While fake goods have exchanged hands in informal markets since ancient times, the growth of online marketplaces has contributed to the rise in counterfeits because of how easy online shopping and selling have become.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Zhang said more companies may face lawsuits from Pop Mart over Lafufus, but counterfeits might also decrease as Pop Mart ramps up its production.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
This makes Temu counterfeits more difficult for consumers to spot while browsing, and more difficult to determine are counterfeit upon receipt of the goods.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterfeits
Noun
-
Over a recent five-year span, 4% of Amber Alerts nationwide were determined to be hoaxes, where people intentionally misled law enforcement.—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, has also been the subject of death hoaxes in the past, including in 2018, when a fake article reporting his death circulated online.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jenna Ushkowitz was a Spring Awakening costar of Lea Michele's when Ryan Murphy cast her to play the one-time goth Tina, who fakes a stutter to stand out at school.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Returning the favor Kitty did for her earlier in Season 3 by visiting her in New York during a turbulent time with her longtime boyfriend Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), Kitty’s older sister Lara Jean (Lana Condor) fakes norovirus to fly to Seoul and take care of Kitty post-Chuseok chaos.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In one snap, the foursome laughs as Crown Prince Christian pretends to grab his younger brother's neck.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This team is improved, has a deeper roster, no longer pretends Kris Bryant is a major league player and features more functional pitchers (No, seriously).—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The world of Busytown, the whimsical universe created by Scarry, has also found a new audience thanks to Inciardi Prints' beautiful tiny reproductions available through Ana Inciardi's Mini Print Vending Machines.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Visitors can purchase both originals and reproductions.—
Jess Lander,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The three eventually work out their differences but not before Edgar turns Miles’s proto-smart-home devices against him, cancels his credit cards, and forges a criminal record for him.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Jaime Alas scores in stoppage time and El Salvador forges a 3-3 tie that ousts the United States from Olympic soccer qualifying.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The facility is likely the only one in the world that can do full-load, bidirectional testing that simulates both grid conditions and variable data-center loads.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Ray tracing is a 3D rendering technology that simulates the behavior of light to produce realistic reflections and lighting effects.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the month following the March 2 vote on the $6 billion tax breaks, more than 100 residents circulated copies of a petition seeking to bring the financing plan to a public vote.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated April 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Moby-Dick initially sold fewer than four thousand copies, of which six hundred were in the United Kingdom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When a single photon is sent through the wall, classical physics assumes that the photon will travel through either of the slits and reach the other side.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In the news discovery phase, the agenda-building theory assumes that issues arise in an interplay between media, politics, and society.—
Florian Wintterlin,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterfeits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterfeits. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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