hoax

A false story, warning, or other trick deliberately created to make people believe something untrue.

• The warning was a hoax.
• Police investigated a hoax bomb threat.
• Thousands of readers believed the online hoax.

Similar words: trick, deception, fraud

Common phrases: bomb hoax, elaborate hoax, hoax call

To trick someone into believing a story or claim that you have deliberately invented.

• They hoaxed the local newspaper.
• Someone hoaxed us with a fake warning.
• The students hoaxed their teacher into believing aliens had landed.

How to use it: hoax someone into doing something (They hoaxed the reporter into publishing a false story.)

Similar words: trick, deceive, fool, dupe

Common phrases: hoax someone, hoax the public, hoax someone into