counterfeit

Definition

False, especially of money; intended to deceive or carry appearance of being genuine.

Etymology

From Middle English counterfeit, countrefet, from Anglo-Norman countrefait, from Old French contrefait, from Latin contra- (“against”) + Latin facere (“to make”). Piecewise doublet of contrafactum.

Example Sentences

• "This counterfeit watch looks like the real thing, but it broke a week after I bought it."
• "Finding out Irish people might have been slaves is kind of like finding a counterfeit bill where you're like, "You think I can use this for something?""
• "counterfeit sympathy"