Meanings
nounimpostor phenomenon (plural impostor phenomena)
plural impostor phenomena
- Synonym of impostor syndrome.
We have observed at least four different types of behaviors, which tend to maintain the impostor phenomenon once the posture of being an intellectual phony has been assumed.
1978, Pauline Rose Clance, Suzanne Imes, “The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention”, in Psychotherapy Theory, Research and Practice, volume 15, number 3, archived from the original on 10 May 2024Synonyms: impostor syndrome
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSynonym of impostor syndrome.
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APA
impostor phenomenon. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/impostor%20phenomenon
MLA
“impostor phenomenon.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/impostor%20phenomenon. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “impostor phenomenon,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/impostor%20phenomenon.
Source: impostor phenomenon on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.