charlatan
noun
a person who pretends or claims to have more knowledge or skill than they possess; fraud; quack.
charlatans
-
pluralof charlatan.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Other charlatans have tried to take advantage of those desperate to get on the sponsored list, which was made public two weeks ago.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
The magician Ricky Jay’s compendium of actual “unique, eccentric and amazing entertainers” offers a parade of con artists, charlatans, escapologists, daredevils, mesmerists, contortionists and sideshow acts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025
The series toes a delicate line, showing why alternative remedies can be so appealing to patients frustrated with traditional medicine, but also illustrating how dangerous charlatans are willing to exploit that desperation for personal gain.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2025
Over the centuries, it has endorsed only a small percentage of the thousands that have been claimed, in an effort to protect the faithful from charlatans, doctrinal errors or attempts to profit.
From New York Times ● May 17, 2024
Some sorcerers are charlatans, but most sincerely believe in the existence of gods and demons.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
