Sentence:  Though it was a great relief when the big brains on these shows turned out to be frauds and <WSD>phonies</WSD> , it did irreparable damage to the ego of the editor and many another intelligent , well-informed American . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives