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Synonyms

impostor

American  
[im-pos-ter] / ɪmˈpɒs tər /
Or imposter

noun

  1. a person who practices deception under an assumed character, identity, or name.


impostor British  
/ ɪmˈpɒstə /

noun

  1. a person who deceives others, esp by assuming a false identity; charlatan

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of impostor

1580–90; < Late Latin, equivalent to Latin impos ( i )-, variant stem of impōnere to deceive, place on ( impone ) + -tor -tor

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.

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

His said his new position gave him a feeling of impostor syndrome.

From Los Angeles Times

Days later, a note was sent directly to the Guthrie family, allegedly from a man living in Hawthorne, that authorities say was an impostor.

From Los Angeles Times

With every impostor removed from your life, more space is created for your person to move in.

From Los Angeles Times

He warned of opportunists and said law enforcement had made an arrest over an “impostor ransom demand.”

From The Wall Street Journal