Counterfeit — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb noun /ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌfit/ coun·ter·feit

Meaning & Definition of Counterfeit

Counterfeit (adjective)

  1. made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive, forged
  2. insincere, feigned
  3. imitation

Counterfeit (verb)

  1. to imitate or feign especially with intent to deceive; also, to make a fraudulent replica of
  2. to try to deceive by pretense or dissembling
  3. to engage in counterfeiting something of value

Counterfeit (noun)

  1. something counterfeit, forgery
  2. something likely to be mistaken for something of higher value

Counterfeit (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud

    "counterfeit currency that had been passed all over town"

    similar: bogus, fake, false, forged, inauthentic, phony, sham, snide, spurious, unauthentic
    related: artificial, factitious, imitation, man-made, mimic, mock, simulated, substitute, synthetic, dummy, nonfunctioning, ornamental, cultured, fabricated, manufactured, deceptive, delusive, misleading
    opposite: authentic, bona fide, genuine, real, unfaked
    near: natural, actual, true, valid

  2. not being or expressing what one appears to be or express

    "when it comes to the poor, his compassion is so counterfeit—he gives a damn, and that's all that he gives"

    similar: artificial, backhanded, double, double-dealing, double-faced, fake, feigned, hypocritical, insincere, Janus-faced, jive (slang), left-handed, lip, mealy, mealymouthed, Pecksniffian, phony, phony-baloney, pretended, two-faced, unctuous
    related: affected, assumed, claptrap, contrived, forced, mechanical, put-on, simulated, strained, unnatural, empty, hollow, meaningless, deceitful, devious, dishonest, false, untruthful, facile, glib, superficial, bogus, sham, campy, facetious, jocular, tongue-in-cheek, canting, pharisaical, pious, sanctimonious, self-righteous, simon-pure
    opposite: artless, candid, genuine, heartfelt, honest, sincere, undesigning, unfeigned
    near: direct, forthright, frank, heart-to-heart, open, plain, straightforward

Counterfeit (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an imitation that is passed off as genuine

    "the will as well as the other documents turned out to be counterfeits"

    similar: fake, forgery, hoax, humbug, phony, sham
    related: copycat, knockoff, copy, facsimile, replica, reproduction, dummy, mock-up, fraud, gaff, imposture, spoof, swindle, simulation, synthetic, bastard, brummagem, duffer, shoddy
    near: original

Counterfeit (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive

    "an expert at counterfeiting money"

    similar: fake, forge, phony
    related: simulate, duplicate, reduplicate, replicate, reproduce, crib, plagiarize, adulterate, doctor, fudge, juggle, manipulate, tamper (with), concoct, cook (up), fabricate, invent

  2. to present a false appearance of

    "managing to counterfeit a happy expression while visiting a sick friend"

    similar: act, affect, assume, bluff, dissemble, fake, feign, pass (for), pretend, profess, put on, sham, simulate, make believe
    related: dissimulate, impersonate, let on, masquerade, play, playact, pose, forge, imitate, camouflage, conceal, disguise, mask, feint, malinger

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Counterfeit

The most common words with a similar meaning to Counterfeit:

Slang: jive
bogus, fake, false, forged, inauthentic, phony, sham, snide, spurious, unauthentic, artificial, backhanded, double, double-dealing, double-faced, feigned, hypocritical, insincere, Janus-faced, left-handed, lip, mealy, mealymouthed, Pecksniffian, phony-baloney, pretended, two-faced, unctuous, forgery, hoax, humbug, forge, act, affect, assume, bluff, dissemble, feign, pass (for), pretend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Counterfeit

Words with the opposite meaning of Counterfeit:

authentic, bona fide, genuine, real, unfaked, artless, candid, heartfelt, honest, sincere, undesigning, unfeigned

Related Words for Counterfeit

factitious, imitation, man-made, mimic, mock, simulated, substitute, synthetic, dummy, nonfunctioning, ornamental, cultured, fabricated, manufactured, deceptive, delusive, misleading, affected, assumed, claptrap, contrived, forced, mechanical, put-on, strained, unnatural, empty, hollow, meaningless, deceitful

Near Antonyms of Counterfeit

natural, actual, true, valid, direct, forthright, frank, heart-to-heart, open, plain, straightforward, original

Word Forms of Counterfeit

Inflections: counterfeited, counterfeiting, counterfeits

Derived words: counterfeiter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Counterfeit

Middle English countrefet, from Anglo-French cuntrefeit, from past participle of cuntrefere, contrefaire to imitate, from cuntre- + faire to make, from Latin facere do

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Counterfeit

What does "Counterfeit" mean?

"Counterfeit" means made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive, forged. As an an adjective, a verb and a noun, it is defined as: made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive, forged. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Counterfeit"?

Other words for "Counterfeit" include bogus, fake, false, forged, inauthentic, phony, sham and snide. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Counterfeit" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Counterfeit"?

There are 138 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Counterfeit". Common alternatives include bogus, fake, false, forged, inauthentic, phony, sham, snide, spurious and unauthentic.

What is the opposite of "Counterfeit"?

Antonyms of "Counterfeit" include authentic, bona fide, genuine, real, unfaked, artless, candid and heartfelt. Near antonyms include natural, actual, true and valid.

How do you use "Counterfeit" in a sentence?

Examples of "Counterfeit" in a sentence: "counterfeit currency that had been passed all over town"; "when it comes to the poor, his compassion is so counterfeit—he gives a damn, and that's all that he gives"; "the will as well as the other documents turned out to be counterfeits".

Is "Counterfeit" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Counterfeit" can be used as an adjective, a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Counterfeit"?

"Counterfeit" is pronounced /ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌfit/ and divided into syllables as coun·ter·feit.

What is the origin of the word "Counterfeit"?

"Counterfeit" comes from Middle English countrefet, from Anglo-French cuntrefeit, from past participle of cuntrefere, contrefaire to imitate, from cuntre- + faire to make, from Latin facere do. First known use: 14th century.