online vocabulary.com

Mountebank - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A mountebank is a dishonest person who deceives others, often by selling fake cures or making false claims. The term can also refer to a charlatan or fraudster who tricks people for personal gain.

mountebank

/ˈmaʊn.t̬ə.bæŋk/ /ˈmaʊn.tɪ.bæŋk/

Definition:

A person who deceives others, especially by pretending to have skills or knowledge they lack.

Synonyms:

charlatan, fraud, impostor, quack

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

honest person, truth-teller

Common Collocations:

mountebank's tricks, mountebank's schemes, mountebank's deception

Derivatives:

mountebankery, mountebanking

Usage Tips:

Use "mountebank" to describe a showy trickster who exploits others' trust for personal gain.

Common Phrases:

"snake oil salesman, " "confidence trickster, " "fast-talking fraud"

Etymology:

From Italian *montambanco*, meaning "one who climbs on a bench" to sell dubious remedies.

Examples:

  • 1. The mountebank sold fake potions to gullible villagers.
  • 2. She saw through the mountebank’s lies and refused to buy his cure-all tonic.
  • 3. The politician was accused of being a mountebank who made empty promises.
  • 4. His flashy attire made him look like a mountebank rather than a genuine healer.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS