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Definitions

impostor

[im-pos-ter] / ɪmˈpɒs tər /
NOUN
person pretending to be something else
Synonyms
STRONGEST
con artist hypocrite
STRONG
actor beguiler bluffer charlatan cheat deceiver fake faker four-flusher fraud imitator impersonator masquerader mimic mocker mountebank pettifogger phony pretender pseudo quack scorner sham sharper shyster trickster
WEAK
empiric

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She says one man felt embarrassed after exchanging more than 20 emails with an impostor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

I stayed silent in that group for days, convinced someone would realize I was an impostor.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

Then he secretly purchases a passel of tortoises; constructs a long-handled grabber; leans down from his balcony; extracts Alfie; and, each week, substitutes a slightly heavier impostor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

"More research is needed to better identify strategies to reduce impostor experiences, but social support may be helpful in reducing impostor fears," Shin said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2026

Fiona told me to wear them to the car wash, but holding the gold shorts and Liberty singlet now makes me feel like an impostor.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Vocabulary lists containing impostor

"The Tragedy of Macbeth," Vocabulary from Act 3

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"The Millionaire Miser"

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