as in authentic
being exactly as appears or as claimed
a bona fide war hero
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Recent Examples of bona fide
To say much more would be to spoil the twisted twists of the plot, in which the director finally applies his affinity for mounting dread to a bona fide horror movie — albeit one characterized by the off-kilter black humor that had become his speciality by that point.
—
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
This approach to music curation of course reflects the show’s status as a bona fide hit with the resources to match.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
But the referees split over the degree to which Google had demonstrated bona fide quantum advantage.
—Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
Then there's Oakland and Ravenwood, who are bona fide state championship contenders in Class 6A. Ditto for Page, East Robertson, Nashville Christian and Brentwood Academy in Class 5A, 2A, Division II-A and DII-AAA respectively.
—Jacob Shames, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bona fide
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
This approach to music curation of course reflects the show’s status as a bona fide hit with the resources to match.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
But the referees split over the degree to which Google had demonstrated bona fide quantum advantage.
—Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
Then there's Oakland and Ravenwood, who are bona fide state championship contenders in Class 6A. Ditto for Page, East Robertson, Nashville Christian and Brentwood Academy in Class 5A, 2A, Division II-A and DII-AAA respectively.
—Jacob Shames, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bona fide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bona fide
Adjective
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Through her book, coaching programs, and authentic voice, Keisha Leilani empowers women to embrace their confidence and express themselves fully.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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To embody the Like a Rolling Stone singer, the actor trained extensively, including five years of preparation, to learn to sing as well as play guitar and harmonica, and to work with dialect and movement coaches to make his performance feel authentic.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Nothing wrong with a little fantasy, but this year’s astrology asks us to stop romanticizing potential and start paying attention to what feels genuine, reciprocal and enduring.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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The tears in Yang’s eyes appeared genuine.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The defense bent a lot and didn’t break often but didn’t have any real signature plays.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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While some calas are accessible by car, others can only be reached by a short hike—that’s where visitors will find the real magic and privacy.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The interior of the shoe stays true to the brand’s line of classic winter boots, lined with a plush wool blend.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
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One mailer in particular said that Persson and fellow Democratic candidates wanted to build apartments on 300 acres of green space, which isn’t true, Persson said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Yet, to be honest, our dance card is already mighty full with a whole array of different kinds of gigs – from big pop shows to classic rock concerts and a number of different small club shows.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Shared finances, emotional investments or trust issues become crystal clear, prompting honest conversations and practical decision-making.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This translation by Nancy Naomi Carlson preserves the rich musicality of the original French, as well as its frequent use of wordplay and often unusual word choice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Jim Carrey inducted Soundgarden, bringing out the late Chris Cornell’s eldest daughter, Lily Cornell Silver, to speak about her father and introduce a performance by his former Soundgarden bandmates, including original member Hiro Yamamoto, with Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlisle singing vocals.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Carote 16-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set The right nonstick cookware can be an actual kitchen game changer—and Carote’s 16-piece set delivers on that promise.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Everything was really incorrect for the period—shiny, sparkly, overdone—but the actual shapes and silhouettes of his clothes are quite accurate.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Travelers who want to witness the eclipse in the only certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the path of totality can head to Tāhuna Glenorchy on New Zealand’s South Island.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Reputable dealers invest in verification equipment and maintain relationships with certified refiners and mints.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bona fide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bona%20fide. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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