imposter

[ɪmˈpɒstə]

imposter Definition

a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.

Using imposter: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "imposter" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The man was arrested for posing as a doctor and treating patients without a license.

  • Example

    She was exposed as an imposter when her fake credentials were discovered.

  • Example

    The company hired a private investigator to uncover any imposters among their employees.

imposter Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for imposter

Phrases with imposter

  • a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud

    Example

    Despite her success, she still experiences imposter syndrome and feels like she doesn't deserve her achievements.

  • the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information, usually for financial gain

    Example

    The victim of identity theft had their bank account drained by the imposter who stole their personal information.

  • catfishing

    the act of creating a fake online persona to deceive someone, usually for romantic purposes

    Example

    He realized he had been catfished when he discovered that the woman he had been talking to online was actually an imposter using someone else's photos.

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Summary: imposter in Brief

An 'imposter' [ɪmˈpɒstə] is a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, often for fraudulent gain. Examples include posing as a doctor or using fake credentials. The term also extends to psychological patterns like 'imposter syndrome,' where individuals doubt their own abilities. Other related terms include 'identity theft' and 'catfishing.'

How do native speakers use this expression?