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.
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.