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
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.
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.'