26984 words

hoax

5 definitions • 6 examples
1
a plan to deceive someone, such as telling the police there is a bomb somewhere when there is not one, or a trick:

Examples:

The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax.
hoax call He'd made a hoax call claiming to be the president.
2
to deceive, especially by playing a trick on someone
3
a plan to deceive a large group of people; a trick:

Examples:

It is a cruel hoax, she said, to encourage people to think they have a real chance to win the lottery.
4
to deceive someone, especially by playing a trick on them:

Examples:

A fake website was set up and a number of people were hoaxed.
5
a trick or something else that is intended to deceive someone:

Examples:

A hoax led thousands to donate to a fake charity.
a cruel/elaborate hoax

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