imposture
[im-pos-cher]
- the action or practice of imposing fraudulently upon others.
- deception using an assumed character, identity, or name, as by an impostor.
- an instance or piece of fraudulent imposition.
Show More
Origin of imposture
Synonyms
See more synonyms for imposture on Thesaurus.com3. fraud, hoax, swindle, deception, humbug, cheat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for imposture
Contemporary Examples
Even after the imposture was revealed, however, Taliban leaders remained positive that that their trick could still work.
Historical Examples
If the world chose to esteem him, he did not buy its opinion by imposture.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
Satisfied, now, that there was imposture, he resolved to ferret it out.
I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
The Prisoner of ZendaAnthony Hope
Where he was now he seemed to be not so much a fallen tyrant as a silly sham and an imposture.
The ScapegoatHall Caine
It—it—seems, monsieur, that—ah—that I have been the victim of some imposture.
St. Martin's SummerRafael Sabatini
imposture
- the act or an instance of deceiving others, esp by assuming a false identity
Show More
Word Origin
C16: from French, from Late Latin impostūra, from Latin impōnere; see impose
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for imposture
n.
"act of willfully deceiving others," 1530s, from Middle French imposture, from Late Latin impostura, from impostus (see impost).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper