imposture
UK: ɪmˈpɒstʃə | US: ɪmˈpɑːstʃər
n. the act of deceiving others by pretending to be someone or something else; fraud or deception.
imposture = im<in/upon> + post<place> + ure<noun suffix>
- im (from Latin in-, meaning "in/upon")
- post (from Latin ponere, meaning "to place")
- ure (noun-forming suffix indicating action or result)
Etymology Origin:
The word "imposture" traces back to Latin imponere ("to place upon" or "to deceive"), combining in- (upon) and ponere (to place). Over time, it evolved through Old French imposture to denote the act of deception—literally "placing a false identity upon oneself." The suffix -ure solidified its meaning as a noun describing the result of such deceit.
His claim to nobility was exposed as an elaborate imposture.
The artist’s imposture fooled critics for years.
She saw through his imposture immediately.
Political impostures often undermine public trust.
The documentary revealed the imposture behind the cult leader’s persona.