1
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud
a spurious Picasso painting that wouldn't have fooled an art expert for a second
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in false
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
claimed that the governor's election-year enthusiasm for conservation was spurious, since he had cut funding for state parks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in illegitimate
born to a father and mother who are not married
the spurious son of Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth would later mount a rebellion in a disastrous attempt to claim the throne
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spurious
The move has perturbed even some of Zelenskyy’s supporters — people who are simultaneously worried about the heavy-handed and potentially spurious crackdown on dissent, and that such criticisms against the Ukrainian leader might be used in bad faith by opponents in Moscow or Washington.
—
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 19 July 2025
Law enforcement officers would arrest young men, usually Black but also white, on spurious charges and lease them to private companies for profit.
—Time, 17 July 2025
Non-residents can go hunting for memories (accurate or spurious) in the public-facing areas on the lower floors, the 4 percent of the building that has been brilliantly restored.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 2025
Though the book largely revolves around spurious media coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza, El Akkad’s great talent is in showing how, over the past few decades, corporate journalism and western powers have undermined our ability to confront global atrocities.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 19 July 2025
Law enforcement officers would arrest young men, usually Black but also white, on spurious charges and lease them to private companies for profit.
—Time, 17 July 2025
Non-residents can go hunting for memories (accurate or spurious) in the public-facing areas on the lower floors, the 4 percent of the building that has been brilliantly restored.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 2025
Though the book largely revolves around spurious media coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza, El Akkad’s great talent is in showing how, over the past few decades, corporate journalism and western powers have undermined our ability to confront global atrocities.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
-
First Alert 4 reported that this counterfeit note was marked as ancestor money, a symbolic bill burned as a ritual offering in Chinese culture.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Today’s teens are navigating an ecosystem where counterfeit Oxycodone, Xanax, Percocet and Adderall are accessible on platforms like Facebook, Snapchat and Telegram.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In his plea agreement, Jones admitted using his company to submit more than $2 million in false bills to the Foundation for audiovisual services.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
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If convicted of bank fraud or making false statements, the penalties could include up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines for each count, the DOJ says.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Also endangering the family name and business is a crooked deal made by Byron Hedges (Jack Gleeson), an illegitimate cousin helping Guinness expand into America, that promises 15% of all American profits to the Fenian Brotherhood.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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The play’s serious depiction of class politics and illegitimate birth were considered shocking by contemporary audiences.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As a precaution, health and trade associations are urging consumers and bars to destroy or properly dispose of empty bottles to prevent counterfeiters from reusing them in the production of fake liquor.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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After going for it on fourth-and-short successfully with a direct snap to Hall on a fake punt, the Jets proceeded to … run out the clock with runs, short passes, and by not snapping the ball on fourth down.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So watch the video carefully and try to catch the signs of unnatural eye movements, lip-sync issues, weird lighting, shadows and voice inconsistencies.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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Temporary runways tend to be sketchier to run and jump from, while makeshift throwing set-ups can feel unnatural.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The rest of the bike is heavily customized with forged wheels, top-spec Brembo brakes, 43-mm Öhlins FGR250 forks, and an Öhlins TTX monoshock.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Sep. 2025
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An email with a forged attachment may be followed by a phone call or even a video appearance that reinforces the deception.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The program for career day will feature panels, mock interviews and networking opportunities.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
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Looking ahead, the researchers plan to conduct more complex experiments using mock debris with different shapes and compositions.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Room for Disagreement The UAE’s relationship with Israel has become strained in recent years over the devastation in Gaza and threats from some Israeli politicians to annex the West Bank — a move that would effectively end hopes for a Palestinian state.—
Yossi Shelley,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Ending the war will offer the Israeli leader relief from daily headlines of IDF casualties, strained reservist forces, increasing international isolation and severe economic damage – heavy burdens for electoral campaigns.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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