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

He routinely called us “fake news” and insulted us.

From Salon

With the Supreme Court backing him, Trump will ban reporters the administration deems “fake news” or “enemies of the people.”

From Salon

Tori-Singh called the report “fake news” and said that her cousin was still missing.

From Los Angeles Times

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev criticised "Western fake news" about the country's emissions and said nations "should not be blamed" for having fossil fuel reserves.

From BBC

He said it had been as if "Western fake news media", charities and politicians were "competing in spreading disinformation... about our country".

From BBC