You've probably heard the word thrown around in a heated political debate or a true-crime documentary about a fake doctor. It sounds fancy. It feels old-school. But when you actually try to use charlatan in a sentence, things get a bit tricky because the word carries a weight that "liar" or "fake" just doesn't quite capture.
Think about the last time someone sold you a "miracle" cure that was basically just sugar water and a prayer. That person wasn't just a liar. They were a charlatan.
The word comes from the Italian ciarlatano, which literally means a "quack." It’s someone who talks a big game to sell a lie, usually involving medical or professional skills they don't actually have. Honestly, it’s one of those words that makes you sound smarter the moment it leaves your mouth, provided you don't mess up the context.
How to Naturally Use Charlatan in a Sentence
Most people stumble because they try to force the word into modern slang where it doesn't quite fit. You wouldn't call your friend a charlatan because they lied about eating your leftover pizza. That's just a regular lie. A charlatan is a performer. They have a "hustle."
If you're writing a formal essay or just trying to spice up your vocabulary, consider this: "The smooth-talking executive was eventually exposed as a charlatan who had never actually graduated from the university he claimed to lead." See how that works? It implies a long-term deception. It's not a one-off fib.
You could also go shorter. "Stop acting like a charlatan." It's punchy. It’s direct. It suggests the person is putting on a show. In the 18th and 19th centuries, charlatans were often found on the back of wagons, literally shouting at crowds to sell "snake oil." Today, they’re more likely to be found in your LinkedIn DMs promising 10x returns on a crypto coin you've never heard of.
Breaking Down the Syntax
When you use charlatan in a sentence, it usually functions as a noun. You’re labeling a person. However, you can use "charlatanry" if you want to describe the act itself.
For instance: "The sheer charlatanry involved in the blood-testing startup's pitch was enough to fool the world's most seasoned investors." This is a subtle nod to real-world events like the Theranos scandal. Elizabeth Holmes is frequently cited by legal experts and journalists as a modern-day charlatan. She didn't just lie; she built an entire aesthetic and "scientific" ecosystem around a product that didn't work. That is the essence of the word.
Real-World Examples and History
History is absolutely littered with these people. It’s kinda fascinating.
👉 See also: Black Red Wing Shoes: Why the Heritage Flex Still Wins in 2026
Take John R. Brinkley. This guy was a total charlatan who, in the 1920s, convinced thousands of people that he could cure impotence by transplanting goat testicles into humans. I'm not making that up. If you were to put charlatan in a sentence regarding Brinkley, it might look like this: "Brinkley was perhaps the most dangerous charlatan of the 20th century, using the new medium of radio to broadcast his medical fantasies to a desperate public."
He had the look. He had the voice. He had the confidence.
That’s the thing about charlatans—they are usually very likable. If they weren't, they wouldn't be able to trick anyone. It’s the "charm" in the charlatan.
Why Context Matters So Much
If you call a politician a charlatan, you’re saying they don't actually believe the policies they’re pushing and are just using them to gain power. If you call a psychic a charlatan, you’re saying they’re using cold reading techniques rather than "speaking to the dead."
Nuance is everything.
- "The gallery realized the 'undiscovered' artist was a charlatan when they found his paintings were actually AI-generated."
- "I felt like a charlatan standing on that stage, knowing I hadn't prepared a single slide for the presentation."
That second example is actually a great way to describe Imposter Syndrome. Even though you aren't actually trying to scam people, the internal feeling of being a fraud makes you feel like a charlatan.
The Difference Between a Charlatan, a Fraud, and a Quack
We tend to use these interchangeably, but a linguist would probably roll their eyes at that.
A fraud is a broad legal term. A quack is specifically about medicine. A charlatan is about the pretense of knowledge.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Right Word That Starts With AJ for Games and Everyday Writing
Imagine a guy pretending to be a lawyer. He’s a fraud (legally) and a charlatan (socially). Now imagine a guy selling a tea that he says cures cancer. He’s a quack.
When you’re putting charlatan in a sentence, think about the "show." Is there a performance involved? If there's a metaphorical stage and a costume, "charlatan" is your best bet.
Why This Word Is Trending Again
In the age of deepfakes and influencer culture, the line between "fake it 'til you make it" and "outright charlatanry" has become incredibly thin. People are searching for this word because they need a way to describe the feeling of being sold a lifestyle that doesn't exist.
You see it in the "get rich quick" corners of YouTube. You see it in the wellness industry where "gurus" sell unverified supplements.
"The rise of social media has made it easier than ever for a charlatan to build a following of millions before anyone bothers to check their credentials." That sentence hits home because it’s a modern reality.
Technical Grammar Check
Since we’re talking about how to use the word, we should probably look at its plural and possessive forms. It’s straightforward, but people still trip up.
- Plural: Charlatans. "The city was overrun by charlatans looking to exploit the gold rush."
- Possessive: Charlatan's. "The charlatan's mask finally slipped during the cross-examination."
Keep it simple. Don't overthink the apostrophes.
Is it an Insult?
Mostly, yes. But in some literary contexts, it’s used with a bit of a wink. A "lovable charlatan" is a common trope in fiction—think of characters like Professor Harold Hill from The Music Man. He’s a con man, sure, but he’s the protagonist.
🔗 Read more: Is there actually a legal age to stay home alone? What parents need to know
If you use charlatan in a sentence to describe a fictional character, it often adds a layer of complexity. "Despite being a total charlatan, the protagonist's charm made the townspeople want to believe in his lies."
Actionable Steps for Mastering Vocabulary
If you want to actually start using this word without sounding like you’re trying too hard, here is the move.
First, stop using it for small mistakes. Use it for the big deceptions. When you see someone claiming to be an expert in something they clearly don't understand, that’s your moment.
Second, pay attention to the "performance." If there's no performance, just call them a liar. If there's a suit, a polished slideshow, and a lot of jargon, call them a charlatan.
Third, try writing three sentences of your own right now.
- One about a historical figure (like Cagliostro or Mary Toft).
- One about a modern tech failure.
- One about a personal feeling of being an imposter.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll find that using charlatan in a sentence becomes second nature. It’s a powerful word. It cuts through the noise. It identifies not just a lie, but a specific type of liar—the one who puts on a show to take what isn't theirs.
To truly nail the usage, remember that a charlatan usually needs an audience. Without a crowd to deceive, they're just a person with a bad idea. With an audience, they're a danger. Use the word when the stakes are high and the deception is theatrical.
Practical Application
To ensure you are using the term correctly in professional or creative writing, follow these guidelines:
- Verify the intent: Only use charlatan if the person is intentionally pretending to have a skill or knowledge they lack.
- Check the field: While it started in medicine (quackery), it now applies to finance, religion, and tech.
- Avoid redundancy: Don't say "fake charlatan." The word already implies they are fake.
By sticking to these nuances, your writing will gain a level of precision that basic synonyms just can't provide.