impostor

Or im·post·er

[im-pos-ter]

noun

1. a person who practices deception under an assumed character, identity, or name.

impostor

/ ɪmˈpɒstə /

noun

1. a person who deceives others, esp by assuming a false identity; charlatan

Word History and Origins

Origin of impostor¹

1580–90; < Late Latin, equivalent to Latin impos ( i )-, variant stem of impōnere to deceive, place on ( impone ) + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of impostor¹

C16: from Late Latin: deceiver; see _impose

Example Sentences

The entire space is autobiographical and intimate in a way that would make the wrong visitor feel like an intruder and the wrong inhabitant an impostor.

From Los Angeles Times

Incidents of impostors masquerading as law enforcement have compounded the situation, along with rumors — so far unverified — that federal authorities have enlisted bounty hunters or private security contractors for immigration arrests.

From Los Angeles Times

The band address the phenomenon on their recent song Impostor, which reflects on the anxiety of building on that momentum, and the understandable onset of impostor syndrome.

From BBC

That opportunity was greater than any personal doubts she may have had, including a nagging sense of impostor syndrome.

From Los Angeles Times

But she suffers from impostor syndrome and feels like life could pass her by.

From Salon

Related Words

• con artist 
• hypocrite