Definitions
- Referring to someone who claims to be something they are not, often in a deceitful or fraudulent manner. - Talking about someone who puts on a false appearance or pretense to deceive others. - Describing someone who acts as if they have a certain quality or status, but in reality, they do not.
- Referring to someone who assumes a false identity or persona for the purpose of deception. - Talking about someone who pretends to be someone else in order to gain an advantage or benefit. - Describing someone who deceives others by pretending to have a certain skill, profession, or status.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to people who are not genuine or authentic.
- 2Both involve deception or fraudulence.
- 3Both describe individuals who pretend to be something they are not.
- 4Both can be used to describe someone who is dishonest or untrustworthy.
- 5Both have negative connotations.
What is the difference?
- 1Intent: Pretender implies a desire to be seen as something one is not, while imposter implies a desire to deceive others for personal gain.
- 2Scope: Pretender can refer to a wide range of situations where someone is pretending to be something they are not, while imposter typically refers to someone who is pretending to be a specific person or professional.
- 3Connotation: Pretender can have a slightly less negative connotation than imposter, which is often associated with criminal activity.
- 4Usage: Pretender is more commonly used in everyday language, while imposter is more often used in formal or legal contexts.
Remember this!
Pretender and imposter are synonyms that describe people who pretend to be something they are not. However, pretender implies a desire to be seen as something one is not, while imposter implies a desire to deceive others for personal gain. Additionally, pretender has a wider scope and can refer to a variety of situations, while imposter typically refers to someone who is pretending to be a specific person or professional.
