counterfeit

Made to look genuine so that people will be tricked into buying or accepting it.

• The shop sold counterfeit watches.
• Police found counterfeit banknotes in his bag.
• How can you spot counterfeit goods online?

Similar words: fake, forged

Opposites: genuine, authentic

Common phrases: counterfeit money, counterfeit goods, counterfeit banknotes

Seeming real, but lacking true feeling or sincerity.

• She offered him counterfeit sympathy.
• His counterfeit affection fooled her for a while.
• I grew tired of their counterfeit enthusiasm.

Similar words: false, insincere, feigned

Opposites: genuine, sincere

Common phrases: counterfeit sympathy, counterfeit affection, counterfeit smile

A copy of something made to trick people into believing it is genuine.

• This watch is a counterfeit.
• An expert identified the painting as a counterfeit.
• Several counterfeits were found among the banknotes.

Similar words: fake, forgery

Opposites: original

Common phrases: a convincing counterfeit, detect a counterfeit, a cheap counterfeit

To make a false copy of money, a document, or goods and present it as genuine.

• They tried to counterfeit money.
• Someone counterfeited her signature on the contract.
• The gang was caught counterfeiting banknotes.

Similar words: forge, fake

Common phrases: counterfeit money, counterfeit a signature, counterfeit banknotes