What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fabricated
Example
The witness admitted to having fabricated the evidence against the defendant. [fabricated: verb]
Example
The article was found to contain fabricated information and was retracted by the publisher. [fabricated: adjective]
counterfeit
Example
The police seized a large amount of counterfeit designer handbags from the market. [counterfeit: adjective]
Example
He was arrested for attempting to use a counterfeit $100 bill at the store. [counterfeit: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Counterfeit is more commonly used than fabricated in everyday language, as it is a term that is often associated with illegal activity and is frequently used in news reports and legal proceedings. Fabricated is less common and is typically used in more specific contexts, such as journalism or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fabricated and counterfeit?
Both fabricated and counterfeit are generally considered formal words, as they are often used in legal or academic contexts. However, counterfeit may be more commonly used in everyday language and may be considered less formal than fabricated.