Definition

Noun: A person who deliberately deceives others by creating or perpetrating tricks or fabrications, typically for amusement or to cause confusion. A hoaxer is someone who plays practical jokes on others.

Usage

A "hoaxer" is a noun used to label an individual whose characteristic action is to create hoaxes. It describes a person who engages in deception, often in a mischievous or playful manner, though the consequences can sometimes be serious. It is typically used in a disapproving or critical context.

Examples

• The email was traced back to a known hoaxer who enjoys spreading false alarms.
• The newspaper revealed that the mysterious creature sighting was the work of a local hoaxer.
• She was accused of being a hoaxer after her story about meeting a celebrity proved to be fabricated.

Advanced Usage

• "Serial hoaxer": This phrase emphasizes a pattern of behavior, describing someone who repeatedly creates deceptions.
  • The police were familiar with the serial hoaxer who had made several fake bomb threats.
• "Notorious hoaxer": This collocation highlights that the person is widely and unfavorably known for their deceptive acts.
  • The documentary investigated the claims of a notorious hoaxer from the 19th century.

Variants and Related Words

• Hoax (noun/verb): The deceptive act itself. (e.g., / )
• Hoaxing (gerund/noun): The action or practice of creating hoaxes.

Synonyms

• Prankster: (Often implies a more light-hearted, humorous intent behind the trick.)
• Trickster: (A broader term for a deceitful or mischievous person.)
• Impostor: (Someone who pretends to be someone else, often for gain rather than just amusement.)
• Fraudster: (Typically implies deception for financial or serious personal gain, which is more severe than a simple hoax.)

Related Phrases

• "Perpetrator of a hoax": A more formal way to describe a hoaxer.
  • The perpetrator of the hoax was finally identified.
• "Mastermind behind the hoax": Emphasizes the hoaxer's role as the chief planner of a complex deception.
  • Authorities searched for the mastermind behind the hoax.

Noun

1. someone who plays practical jokes on others