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imposture

noun
im·​pos·​ture | \ im-ˈpäs-chÉ™r How to pronounce imposture (audio) \

Definition of imposture

1 : the act or practice of deceiving by means of an assumed character or name
2 : an instance of imposture
Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about imposture

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Choose the Right Synonym for imposture

imposture, fraud, sham, fake, humbug, counterfeit 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 fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth. the diary was exposed as a fraud sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action. condemned the election as a sham 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 humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent. creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable. 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

Examples of imposture in a Sentence

He was accused of imposture.

Recent Examples on the Web

 And who wants to be the party-pooper who says that some kinds of imposture are less fair than others? — Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, "Who gets to play transgender roles?," 12 July 2018 Thus begins a chain of machinations, impostures, and stratagems, including mare’s sweat, pirates, cross-dressing, and mistaken identity. — John Timpane, Philly.com, "'Forum' at Walnut Street Theatre: Vulgar, old-school, full of life," 14 Sep. 2017 The actual lady’s maid (wryly mocking Stephanie Goodman) is fully on to Bludgepot’s imposture and watches his scrambling with a sardonic smirk. — Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: Stealing from the Bard is hard in ‘The Lost Years’ in El Cerrito," 17 Apr. 2017 A comic look at art, race, and imposture from award-winner James Ijames. — Philly.com, "Theater: New and Noteworthy," 28 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imposture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of imposture

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for imposture

Late Latin impostura, from Latin impositus, impostus, past participle of imponere

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More Definitions for imposture

imposture

noun
How to pronounce imposture (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of imposture

formal : the act of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else

See the full definition for imposture in the English Language Learners Dictionary

imposture

noun
im·​pos·​ture | \ im-ˈpäs-chÉ™r How to pronounce imposture (audio) \

Kids Definition of imposture

: the act of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else

More from Merriam-Webster on imposture

Nglish: Translation of imposture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of imposture for Arabic Speakers

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