Meaning & use
Charlatanism
Last updated
The practice of pretending to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications one does not actually possess in order to deceive others, especially for profit.
See it in a sentence
The self-proclaimed healer was eventually exposed for charlatanism after his remedies failed to work.
Critics accused the financial guru's seminars of being little more than charlatanism dressed up as expertise.
A note on using this word
From 'charlatan,' which traces back to Italian 'ciarlatano,' related to 'ciarlare' (to chatter) — evoking the fast-talking sales pitches of traveling quack doctors.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
honestyauthenticity
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