Impostors: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to individuals who pretend to be someone else to deceive others, often to gain personal advantage.

• The company was scammed by impostors claiming to be legitimate contractors
• She felt like an impostor accepting the award, even though it was well-deserved

Applies to those who feign qualities, feelings, or identities that are not true to gain advantage or avoid consequence.

• Many pretenders acted like they were loyal supporters, but their actions showed otherwise
• She was a pretender in the group, always pretending to know more than she did

Describes people who intentionally mislead or trick others. Can be used in various contexts including personal relationships or situations involving fraud.

• Beware of deceivers who promise quick and easy financial gains
• He realized his friend was a deceiver after discovering the lies

Used for individuals who betray trust or allegiance, often with a strong negative connotation. Commonly used in political or personal loyalty contexts.

• The general was branded a traitor for collaborating with the enemy
• Betraying the group's secret made him a traitor in their eyes

Used to describe people who pretend to be someone else, typically to deceive others. It often has a negative connotation.

• The meeting was disrupted by two impostors who claimed to be company executives.
• She discovered the impostors only after they had swindled her out of a large sum of money.

Typically used in legal or serious contexts to describe deliberate deception for personal gain. It carries a very strong negative connotation.

• He was arrested and charged with fraud for embezzling company funds.
• The bank was involved in a massive fraud scandal that affected thousands of customers.

Used to describe an individual who pretends to be someone else, often to deceive. It is usually interchangeable with 'impostor' and has a negative connotation.

• The imposter gained access to the secure facility by pretending to be an employee.
• After investigating, they discovered that the supposed expert was actually an imposter.