Snopes.com subject (4 letters)

{ Answer }

HOAX

{ Related Clues }

Canard
Con
Deception
Dupe
Fraud
Hornswoggle
Imposture
Put-on
Ruse
Major prank
Mare's nest
Mare's-nest
Piltdown man, for one
Practical joke
Put one over on
April 1st event
Bigfoot photo, e.g.
Elaborate April fool
Hitler's diaries, e.g.
Piltdown man, notably
Practical joke, e.g.
Martian invasion report, e.g.
April 1 news story, maybe

{ Tags }

april, canard, diaries, eg, elaborate, fool, hitlers, hoax, imposture, invasion, joke, man, mares, nest, notably, piltdown, practical, put, snopescom, story, subject

{ Notes }

The answer HOAX is uncommon, appearing about once every 500 puzzles.

{ Definition }

HOAX as a noun:

1. (fraud, fraudulence, dupery, hoax, humbug, put-on) = something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage

HOAX as a verb:

1. (hoax, pull someone's leg, play a joke on) = subject to a playful hoax or joke