hoax
13 synonyms for hoax, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something made up on purpose to trick or deceive people.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Something made up on purpose to trick or deceive people.
“The viral video turned out to be an elaborate hoax staged for views.”
How to use hoax
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a hoax call
perpetrate a hoax
expose a hoax
Etymology
Likely a shortened form of "hocus", itself probably tied to "hocus-pocus", the classic magician's phrase.
Full origin of hoax →Frequently asked questions
What does “hoax” mean?
The word “hoax” means something made up on purpose to trick or deceive people. In plain terms, a deliberate trick or fake story meant to fool people.
How do you pronounce “hoax”?
“Hoax” is pronounced hohks (/hoʊks/ in IPA).
How do you use “hoax” in a sentence?
Here is “hoax” used in a sentence: “The moon-landing conspiracy is a well-known hoax.”
What part of speech is “hoax”?
Depending on how it is used, “hoax” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “hoax” a common word?
“Hoax” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hoax” have?
“Hoax” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something made up on purpose to trick or deceive people.
What is a hoax?
A hoax is a deliberate act or story created to deceive people into believing something false, often for amusement, attention, profit or to cause panic. Unlike a simple lie, a hoax is usually elaborate and designed to spread and convince a wide audience.
What is the difference between a hoax and a prank?
A prank is a small trick played on a specific person for a quick, usually harmless laugh, and the truth comes out fast. A hoax is bigger and more deliberate — it aims to convince many people of something false, sometimes for a long time, and can have serious real-world consequences.
What is the difference between a hoax and a scam?
A hoax is a deception, often for attention, shock value or amusement, that doesn't necessarily seek financial gain. A scam is a hoax specifically designed to trick someone out of money or personal information.
What are some famous hoaxes?
Well-known hoaxes include Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast (mistaken by some listeners for a real Martian invasion), the Cottingley Fairies photographs, the Piltdown Man "missing link" fossil, and countless modern viral misinformation stories shared on social media.
Is spreading a hoax illegal?
It depends on the hoax and the jurisdiction. Spreading a hoax that causes public panic (such as a fake bomb threat or emergency alert), defrauds someone, or defames a person can carry criminal or civil penalties. A harmless joke hoax generally isn't illegal, but a malicious one often is.
Where does the word "hoax" come from?
It's generally traced to the late 18th century (around 1796) as a shortening of the conjuring word "hocus", as in "hocus-pocus" — the magician's patter used to distract an audience while performing a trick.
