fake news

American  

[feyk nooz, nyooz] / ˈfeɪk ˈnuz, ˈnyuz /

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.

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Usage

What is fake news? Fake news can refer to false new stories, often spread as misinformation or disinformation on social media. It has also come to refer any information that one finds critical about themselves or something themselves, a use popularized by President Donald Trump in 2016.

Etymology

Origin of fake news

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

Example Sentences

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the rumors were “fake news.”

From Salon

Did Mr. Ruddy feed him this fake news?

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a story about the dangers of fake news.

From Washington Post

He turned up on “Hannity” this week, railing against the “fake news” media.

From New York Times

Mr. Trump, who had recently insulted Mr. Murdoch and labeled Fox as “fake news,” appeared pleased by the revival of his support on the network.

From New York Times