Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for make believe. Search instead for makes bed lie it.
Definitions

make believe

[meyk-bi-leev] / ˈmeɪk bɪˌliv /
VERB
make a show of
Synonyms
WEAK
act as if act as though bluff counterfeit dream enact fake fantasize feign fool imagine let on like make as if play play the part play-act playact pretend simulate
Antonyms
WEAK
live reality
ADJECTIVE
imagined, unreal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fictional imaginary simulated
STRONG
dream fantasy mock pretend sham
WEAK
acted false fantasized fraudulent made-up pretended
Antonyms
STRONGEST
genuine real
WEAK
true unimagined
NOUN
unreality
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charade
STRONG
disguise dissimulation dream fakery fantasy imagination pageant playacting pretense pretension pretentiousness sham
WEAK
fairy tale
Antonyms
STRONG
existence honesty reality substance truth
make-believe
ADJECTIVE
imagined, unreal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fictional imaginary simulated
STRONG
dream fantasy mock pretend sham
WEAK
acted false fantasized fraudulent made-up pretended
Antonyms
STRONGEST
genuine real
WEAK
true unimagined
NOUN
unreality
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charade
STRONG
disguise dissimulation dream fakery fantasy imagination pageant playacting pretense pretension pretentiousness sham
WEAK
fairy tale
Antonyms
STRONG
existence honesty reality substance truth

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.

Though only about seven minutes, each core “Bluey” episode unfolds patiently, often centered on make-believe, wonder and childlike ingenuity.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

As long as Hegseth keeps his chest-thumping and pull-up contests in the land of make-believe, these men are happy.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

Even younger infants show early signs of understanding make-believe.

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026

By the time her mom calls her down for dinner, Rita finds that she’s really quite busy with her make-believe adventures—an unexpected ending to a not-so-boring day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

I wait in the strange darkness of my make-believe yard, listening for the silence that will allow me to escape to where I belong.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.