Counterfeit

adjective; noun; verb (transitive)

/ˈkaʊn.tə.fɪt/

Made in exact imitation of something genuine with the intent to deceive or defraud, especially referring to currency, goods, or documents produced illegally to pass as authentic.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The proliferation of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in poorly regulated markets not only erodes consumer trust but poses a grave public-health hazard, underscoring the need for a robust drug-traceability regime and stronger enforcement under intellectual-property law.

Synonyms

fakeforgedfraudulentspuriousbogussham

Antonyms

genuineauthenticrealbona fide

🌱 Word Family

counterfeit (v), counterfeited (adj), counterfeiting (n/v pres.p), counterfeiter (n), counterfeitly (adv)

🔡 Root

Anglo-Norman contrefait; Latin contra- = against + facere = to make

📜 Etymology

From Middle English counterfeit, from Anglo-Norman countrefait, from Old French contrefait ("imitated"), from Latin contra- ("against") + facere ("to make"); first recorded in English in the mid-13th century.

🧠 Memory Hook

Counter + feit (feign/make): something made "against" the real one to fake it. Picture a fake note slid across a shop COUNTER and rejected as a FAKE.

🛡️ Internal Security 📖 Seen in: Organised Crime, Terrorism Financing &...

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