humbug
16 synonyms for humbug, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Nonsense, deception, or something meant to trick or mislead 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.
bosh
tosh
drool
baloney
dupery
put-on
boloney
twaddle
tommyrot
snake oil
bilgewater
taradiddle
tarradiddle
fraudulence
Etymology
Origin unknown — the word appeared in English by the mid-1700s, and its exact source has never been traced with certainty.
Full origin of humbug →Frequently asked questions
What does “humbug” mean?
The word “humbug” means nonsense, deception, or something meant to trick or mislead people. In plain terms, nonsense or a fraud — or, separately, a minty striped candy.
How do you pronounce “humbug”?
“Humbug” is pronounced HUHM-buhg (/ˈhəmˌbəɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “humbug” in a sentence?
Here is “humbug” used in a sentence: “He dismissed the claims as pure humbug.”
What part of speech is “humbug”?
“Humbug” is a noun.
Where does the word “humbug” come from?
The word “humbug” dates back to around 1700. Origin unknown — the word appeared in English by the mid-1700s, and its exact source has never been traced with certainty.
How many meanings does “humbug” have?
“Humbug” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: nonsense, deception, or something meant to trick or mislead people.
