impostor
10 synonyms for impostor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone who pretends to be another person in order to 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.
How to use impostor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
an impostor syndrome
expose an impostor
pose as an impostor
Etymology
From Middle French imposteur, ultimately from Latin impositor, "one who imposes" — related to the verb impose.
Full origin of impostor →Frequently asked questions
What does “impostor” mean?
The word “impostor” means someone who pretends to be another person in order to deceive people. In plain terms, someone (or something) pretending to be what it isn't.
How do you pronounce “impostor”?
“Impostor” is pronounced ihm-POS-tuh (/ɪmˈpɑstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “impostor” in a sentence?
Here is “impostor” used in a sentence: “The man turned out to be an impostor posing as a police officer.”
What is another word for “impostor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “impostor” include impersonator.
What part of speech is “impostor”?
“Impostor” is a noun.
Where does the word “impostor” come from?
The word “impostor” comes from Latin. From Middle French imposteur, ultimately from Latin impositor, "one who imposes" — related to the verb impose.
How many meanings does “impostor” have?
“Impostor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who pretends to be another person in order to deceive people.
