fake news

[ feyk nooz, nyooz ]

noun

1. false news stories, often of a sensational nature, created to be widely shared or distributed for the purpose of generating revenue, or promoting or discrediting a public figure, political movement, company, etc.:

   It’s impossible to avoid clickbait and fake news on social media.

2. a parody that presents current events or other news topics for humorous effect in an obviously satirical imitation of journalism:

   The website publishes fake news that is hilarious and surprisingly insightful.

3. Sometimes Facetious. (used as a conversational tactic to dispute or discredit information that is perceived as hostile or unflattering):

   The senator insisted that recent polls forecasting an election loss were just fake news.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fake news¹

First recorded in 1800–20 in the sense “false news, spurious news”; the current sense was first recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

“It’s a kind of backstop for meaning in an era of fake news, alternative facts, whatever you want to say about the value of a word’s meaning in the culture.”

From Salon

“His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe.”

From Los Angeles Times

As a sign that Hegseth may still have the president-elect's confidence, Trump posted a defense of his embattled nominee on Thursday, writing on Truth Social that Hegseth's "support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe."

From Salon

The vow to take down the Bidens, the deep state and the “fake news” media, along with all the screams about retribution from Trump’s nominees, sparked a change of heart in the president.

From Salon

At the same time, a cousin of Banks was calling news conferences and telling the media that the police claim that Banks was in Texas was “fake news,” insisting she was still missing.

From Los Angeles Times