fabricate

[fab-ri-keyt]

verb (used with object)

fabricated, fabricating 

1. to make by art or skill and labor; construct.

   The finest craftspeople fabricated this clock.

2. to make by assembling parts or sections.

3. to devise or invent (a legend, lie, etc.).

4. to fake; forge (a document, signature, etc.).

fabricate

/ ˈfæbrɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to make, build, or construct

2. to devise, invent, or concoct (a story, lie, etc)

3. to fake or forge

Other Word Forms

• fabricator noun
• fabricative adjective
• fabrication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fabricate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin fabricātus “made,” past participle of fabricāre; fabric, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fabricate¹

C15: from Latin fabricāre to build, make, from fabrica workshop; see _fabric

Synonym Study

See manufacture.

Example Sentences

For their study, the team fabricated intricate mathematical lattice shapes called gyroids out of iron, silver, and copper, demonstrating their technique's ability to produce strong yet complex structures.

Read more on Science Daily

Aetna alleges in a lawsuit filed last year that Young and others defrauded the insurer of at least $40 million for fabricated addiction treatment at about a dozen facilities Aetna described as “drug dens.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Navalny, who was 47, was serving three prison sentences amounting to more than 30 years on charges that he and his supporters said were fabricated.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Two people said they were told to fabricate stories of abuse.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There were fabricated rumors of gambling debts and of affiliations with Communists, but the core of opposition was anti-union sentiment in the GOP.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• concoct 
• contrive 
• counterfeit 
• fake 
• fudge 
• invent 
• misrepresent 
• trump up