Definition of bona fidenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bona fide contrast with its synonyms?

The words authentic and genuine are common synonyms of bona fide. While all three words mean "being actually and exactly what is claimed," bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention.

a bona fide offer for the stock

When is authentic a more appropriate choice than bona fide?

The meanings of authentic and bona fide largely overlap; however, authentic implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact; it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original.

an authentic account of the perilous journey
an authentic reproduction
authentic Vietnamese cuisine

When could genuine be used to replace bona fide?

The synonyms genuine and bona fide are sometimes interchangeable, but genuine implies actual character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated; it also connotes definite origin from a source.

genuine piety
genuine maple syrup
a genuine Mark Twain autograph

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bona fide The question is whether this moment is going to evolve into a bona fide movement. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2026 The latter show features bona fide movie stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning, plus a plot — single mom starts an OnlyFans to make ends meet — that fits right in with the 21st-century trend of comedies that play like dramas. Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026 Adding a bona fide second-line center would take some of the pressure off Suzuki to do all the heavy lifting. Harman Dayal, New York Times, 13 June 2026 Recently, fans of the series have been clamoring for a full-blown, HD remake of the N64 classic for a bona fide next-generation console, and the rumors started to swirl earlier this year that their dreams would become reality. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bona fide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bona fide
Adjective
  • To create authentic posts, users must leverage AI as a personalized writing partner.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Stay true to your authentic expression when the Scorpio moon challenges Mars.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The family of a 26-year-old man who was shot and killed in Fort Worth last week remembers his bright smile and genuine laugh.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • The film, based on Thomas Perry’s novel Strip, wears its influences — ranging from Elmore Leonard to Carl Hiaasen to Quentin Tarantino — heavily, without the genuine wit of many of its predecessors.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • But what if the real story is something much bigger?
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • The investment bank was less enthusiastic about gold as a hedge, noting that higher real yields and a stronger dollar have weighed on bullion prices, while gold options have become relatively expensive compared with equity and rates derivatives.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • From viral Aldi Finds to tried-and-true products shoppers love to tell their friends about, people love the thrill of discovering something new here.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • That rugged access is part of the appeal for buyers seeking a true escape rather than a weekend cabin with neighbors in sight.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • September 23 – October 22 Where can balance invite honest progress?
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • Let’s be honest, flip-flops aren’t known for their support—but somehow, these under-$20 sandals have racked up hundreds of five-star reviews raving about their comfort.
    Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • History buffs, don’t miss the White River Museum on Park Avenue, which offers a quirky account of local history from inside a pair of the town’s original log buildings.
    Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
  • Fifty years and thousands of runs later, six of the original players still take to the diamond nearly every Sunday, swinging for the fences.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Everything from the casting (male dancers, internet faves, and very few actual models) to the scenery (a 191-year-old venue with plenty of stained glass) to the ambiance (candlelit, with lots of bows and florals) embodied the brand's quintessential mix of romance, community, and nostalgia.
    Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 26 June 2026
  • The idea that all the employees would gear up for a really, really busy night, only to be hit with no-shows and cancellations due to inclement weather, is probably something that happens in actual eateries all the time.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), TLC is the second-biggest-selling female group behind The Chicks, with 23 million certified units.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • Farmworkers are at particular risk, which has led the EPA to require special training for certified applicators of paraquat.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bona fide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bona%20fide. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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