Hoaxed: meaning, definitions and examples

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hoaxed

 

[ hoʊkst ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

deception act

To hoax means to deceive or trick someone, often through elaborate or cunning methods. This might involve creating false information or scenarios to mislead an individual or a larger group. The act of hoaxing is often considered mischievous and can intersect with various forms of media, including pranks on social media or fabricated news stories. While some hoaxes are harmless and meant for entertainment, others can cause significant confusion or distress.

Synonyms

deceive, dupe, fool, mislead, trick

Examples of usage

  • The prankster hoaxed his friends into believing he won the lottery.
  • The internet was flooded with a hoaxed video that misrepresented the event.
  • Faker accounts often hoax innocent individuals into sharing personal information.

Translations

Translations of the word "hoaxed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganado

🇮🇳 धोखा दिया गया

🇩🇪 hereingelegt

🇮🇩 dipermainkan

🇺🇦 обманутий

🇵🇱 oszukany

🇯🇵 騙された

🇫🇷 dupe

🇪🇸 engañado

🇹🇷 kandırılmış

🇰🇷 속은

🇸🇦 مخدوع

🇨🇿 ošizený

🇸🇰 oklamaný

🇨🇳 受骗的

🇸🇮 prevaran

🇮🇸 svikinn

🇰🇿 алдаған

🇬🇪 დამატყუებული

🇦🇿 aldanmış

🇲🇽 engañado

Etymology

The word 'hoax' is believed to have originated in the early 19th century, with some sources tracing it back to the 1830s. It was likely formed from a combination of the word 'hoax' used in the context of a practical joke and has connections to the old English term 'hox', implying deception or trickery. The use of 'hoax' became more widespread with the rise of printing and media, as literature and news outlets provided fertile ground for misinformation. Over time, hoaxes evolved with technological advancements, especially with the internet, leading to an explosion of sophisticated hoaxes that target large audiences. This evolution reflects society's ongoing struggle with discerning truth from falsehood in an increasingly complex information landscape.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,281, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.