bluff

blʌf

noun

an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or is going to do something.

the offer was denounced as a bluff

deception,subterfuge,pretence,sham,fake,show,deceit,false show,idle boast,feint,delusion,hoax,fraud,masquerade,charade,trick,stratagem,ruse,manoeuvre,scheme,artifice,machination,humbug,bluster,bombast,bragging,codology,put-on,put-up job,kidology

verb

try to deceive someone as to one’s abilities or intentions.

he’s been bluffing all along

pretend,sham,fake,feign,put on an act,put it on,lie,hoax,pose,posture,masquerade,dissemble,dissimulate,kid,deceive,delude,mislead,trick,fool,hoodwink,dupe,take in,beguile,humbug,bamboozle,gull,cheat,con,put one over on,have on,cozen,bullshit