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

• fabricative adjective
• fabricator noun
• 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

An important limitation emerged: Claude frequently overstated findings and fabricated results, claiming credentials that didn’t validate or presenting publicly available information as critical discoveries.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some Iranians seeking asylum abroad cite conversion as part of their claim, while Iranian officials accuse them of exaggerating or fabricating conversions to strengthen their cases.

Read more on BBC

In posts to Truth Social and statements to the press, the president accused his Democratic Party opposition of fabricating the documents from the late trafficker as a means of undermining his administration.

Read more on Salon

Four of them said they fabricated the claims.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The scope could include claims of allegedly fabricated invoices, double-pledged collateral and manipulation of the company’s books and records, according to court papers filed on Monday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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