What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Impersonate vs Counterfeit - What's the difference?

impersonate | counterfeit | Related terms |

In transitive terms the difference between impersonate and counterfeit

is that impersonate is to pretend to be (a different person), to assume the identity of while counterfeit is to falsely produce what appears to be official or valid; to produce a forged copy of.

As an adjective counterfeit is

false, especially of money; intended to deceive or carry appearance of being genuine.

As a noun counterfeit is

a non-genuine article; a fake.

impersonate

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To pretend to be (a different person), to assume the identity of.
  • The conman managed to impersonate several executives.
  • (obsolete) To manifest in corporeal form; to personify.
  • Synonyms

    * (assume identity of) personate * (manifest in corporeal form) embody

    Derived terms

    * impersonation * impersonator

    counterfeit

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • False, especially of money; intended to deceive or carry appearance of being genuine.
  • This counterfeit watch looks like the real thing, but it broke a week after I bought it.
  • Inauthentic.
  • counterfeit sympathy
  • Assuming the appearance of something; deceitful; hypocritical.
  • * Shakespeare
  • an arrant counterfeit rascal

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A non-genuine article; a fake.
  • *c.1597 William Shakespeare, Henry IV part I, Act II, scene 4:
  • Never call a true piece of gold a counterfeit .
  • * Macaulay
  • Some of these counterfeits are fabricated with such exquisite taste and skill, that it is the achievement of criticism to distinguish them from originals.
  • One who counterfeits; a counterfeiter.
  • (obsolete) That which resembles another thing; a likeness; a portrait; a counterpart.
  • * William Shakespeare, Timon of Athens
  • Thou drawest a counterfeit / Best in all Athens.
  • * 1590 Edmund Spenser, Faerie Queene Book III, canto VIII:
  • Even Nature's self envied the same, / And grudged to see the counterfeit should shame / The thing itself.
  • (obsolete) An impostor; a cheat.
  • * c.1597 William Shakespeare, Henry IV part I, Act V, scene 4
  • I fear thou art another counterfeit ; / And yet, in faith, thou bear'st thee like a king.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To falsely produce what appears to be official or valid; to produce a forged copy of.
  • to counterfeit the signature of another, coins, notes, etc.
  • (obsolete) To produce a faithful copy of.
  • *
  • (obsolete) To feign; to mimic.
  • to counterfeit the voice of another person
  • * Oliver Goldsmith, The Village Schoolmaster
  • Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee / At all his jokes, for many a joke had he.
  • Of a turn or river card, to invalidate a player's hand by making a better hand on the board.