imposture

[ im-pos-cher ]

noun

1. the action or practice of imposing fraudulently upon others.
2. deception using an assumed character, identity, or name, as by an impostor.
3. an instance or piece of fraudulent imposition.

   Synonyms: cheat, humbug, deception, swindle, hoax, fraud

imposture

/ ɪmˈpɒstrəs; ɪmˈpɒstərəs; ɪmˈpɒstʃə /

noun

1. the act or an instance of deceiving others, esp by assuming a false identity

Derived Forms

• impostrous, adjective

Other Words From

• im·pos·trous [im-, pos, -tr, uh, s], im·postur·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imposture¹

1530–40; < Late Latin impostūra, equivalent to Latin impost ( us ) past participle of impōnere ( impostor, impone ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of imposture¹

C16: from French, from Late Latin impostūra, from Latin impōnere; see impose

Example Sentences

The difference lies in the minds and expectations of spectators, and it’s the difference between endeavor and imposture.

From New York Times

The people who knew Brandon look back mostly with incredulity and amusement at his imposture and extend him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his motives.

From New York Times

The unnamed narrator in “Portrait of an Unknown Lady,” María Gainza’s crepuscular but dreamy novel, looks back over a life led in the shadow of imposture.

From New York Times

This form of imposture has a pedigree — or a past, anyway.

From New York Times

“This doesn’t change anything in the work that we are conducting; that doesn’t change anything in the reality. It is an imposture with the Core Group and the Americans.”

From Washington Post