Associations

An "impostor" is someone who pretends to be someone else or takes on a false identity. It often carries a sense of deceit or trickery. You can think of an impostor as a "fake" or "pretender."

• Example 1: "He was an impostor at the party, pretending to be a famous actor." (Here, the person is lying about their identity to gain attention or recognition.)
• Example 2: "She felt like an impostor in her new job, worried that she wasn't qualified." (In this case, the person feels undeserving of her position, as if she’s pretending to be someone more competent.)
• Example 3: "The impostor was caught when he couldn't answer basic questions about the real person." (The impostor was found out because he didn't know enough details about the real identity.)

A synonym for "impostor" is "fraud." The main difference is that "fraud" can refer to someone who deceives in a broader sense, often for financial gain, while "impostor" is specifically about pretending to be someone else.

Substitution

You could also use the word "faker" instead of "impostor." However, "faker" typically implies someone is pretending in a less serious context, like pretending to be sick.

Another option is "pretender," which is similar but often refers to someone who acts in a way that is not genuine, without necessarily assuming a false identity.

Choosing between these words can change the focus slightly—you would use "impostor" for someone specifically taking on another's identity, while "faker" and "pretender" can have broader meanings.