Synonyms for

Pseudo

Verb / ˈsu:dəʊ / Another word for pseudo — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

not genuine; fake or false

Synonyms & similar words

pseud shammer imposter pretender fake sham roleplayer impostor faker fraud false artificial bogus imitation mock phony pretend sham spurious counterfeit factitious feigned simulated unnatural pseudo-

Synonyms by register

Formal

spurious bogus counterfeit simulated

Informal

fake phony sham pretend

Literary

apocryphal feigned

Antonyms

real genuine authentic actual true legitimate bona fide

Common collocations

  • pseudo-science
  • pseudo-intellectual
  • pseudo-art
  • pseudo-legal
  • pseudo-scientific
  • pseudo-classical
  • pseudo-modern

Word family

adjective pseudo

Usage note

Often used as a prefix to denote something that is falsely claimed or deceptively appears to be something else. It carries a negative connotation, implying inauthenticity or imitation.

Example sentences

  1. The jewelry was made of pseudo-gold and was cheap.
  2. He pretended to be a doctor, but it was all just a pseudo-medical act.
  3. The plant was a pseudo-cactus and was actually made of plastic.
  4. The company used a pseudo-name to avoid negative feedback.
  5. The film was a pseudo-documentary and was not based on real events.

Quotes

  • The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance—it is the illusion of knowledge. - Daniel J. Boorstin
  • It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not. - André Gide
  • The truth is rarely pure and never simple. - Oscar Wilde

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