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Definitions

trumped-up

[truhmpt-uhp] / ˈtrʌmptˈʌp /
ADJECTIVE
made up
Synonyms
WEAK
bogus concocted cooked-up deceitful devised dishonest fabricated fake false falsified fictitious fishy framed fraudulent imaginary incorrect invalid invented lying made up misleading phony sham unfounded unsound untrue
trumped up
ADJECTIVE
made up
Synonyms
WEAK
bogus concocted cooked up cooked-up deceitful devised dishonest fabricated fake false falsified fictitious fishy framed fraudulent imaginary incorrect invalid invented lying made up misleading phony sham unfounded unsound untrue

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.

Indeed at one point Sarkozy compares himself with France's most famous victim of justice, Alfred Dreyfus – the Jewish officer who was sent to Devil's Island on a trumped-up espionage charge.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

Mr. Lai has been in prison on trumped-up charges ever since.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025

Instead, they were arrested on trumped-up obscenity charges and subjected to expensive litigation before the case against them was thrown out for lack of evidence.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2024

What is different, she said, is over roughly the last decade there’s been a trend of foreign governments as opposed to terrorist groups detaining Americans abroad, often on trumped-up charges.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 9, 2022

At the very last second, just as Charles was nearing victory, the batty billionaire disqualified him on a trumped-up technicality.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein