Synonyms of charlatans

charlatans

noun

plural of charlatan

as in frauds

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise

the famed faith healer turned out to be a charlatan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frauds
• fakes
• pretenders
• shams
• quacks
• deceivers
• mountebanks
• misleaders
• fakers
• impostors
• humbugs
• phonies
• actors
• fakirs
• operators
• counterfeiters
• hoaxers
• ringers
• imitators
• dissemblers
• quacksalvers
• copycats
• tricksters
• swindlers
• poseurs
• impersonators
• skinners
• scammers
• sharpers
• fraudsters
• mimics
• bluffers
• dodgers
• duper
• scamsters
• defrauders
• feigners
• sharpies
• cozeners

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• professionals
• experts
• masters
• adepts
• authorities
• virtuosos
• wizards
• maestros
• past masters
• aces
• whizzes
• crackerjacks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of charlatans

Despite the claims of any number of charlatans who prey on the American brand of cuddly benighted ignorance, the universe will not manifest an alternate reality for anyone who simply wishes for it with sufficient longing. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Ours is not a society that loathes charlatans; look who’s running things. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

In place of San Francisco’s decaying arts bohemia of poseurs and charlatans, they can be said to be creating an alternate bohemia. — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Others estimate that $500 billion in federal spending is diverted by charlatans each year. — Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

The 21st century’s obstacles for young men—as seen in deaths of despair and lagging employment—have been amply publicized both by credible journalists and by charlatans such as Fuentes. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit taught us how to separate good science from the work of charlatans. — Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026

First up was Ben Shapiro, who described Tucker Carlson and others as grifters and charlatans, guilty of misleading their audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories. — Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025