Synonyms of bona fide

bona fide

adjective

ˈbō-nə-ˌfīd 

as in authentic

being exactly as appears or as claimed

a bona fide war hero

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authentic
• genuine
• real
• true
• honest
• for real
• original
• actual
• certified
• unmistakable
• historical
• right
• certifiable
• pure
• sure-enough
• legitimate
• legal
• pukka
• identifiable
• very
• lawful
• dinkum
• echt
• accurate
• recognizable
• validated
• proven
• verifiable
• unquestionable
• irrefutable
• correct
• incontrovertible
• indisputable
• proper
• incontestable
• undeniable
• substantiated
• undoubted
• veritable
• indubitable
• verified
• unadulterated
• unalloyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• false
• unreal
• fake
• mock
• artificial
• pseudo
• phony
• counterfeit
• synthetic
• bogus
• spurious
• imitation
• sham
• simulated
• unauthentic
• unnatural
• supposititious
• manufactured
• factitious
• suppositious
• misleading
• fabricated
• deceptive
• man-made
• delusive
• concocted
• delusory

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

Recent Examples of bona fide

Dominik Mysterio is continuing his ascension as a bona fide superstar in WWE, due to his heelish persona, heat-generating promos, and impressive in-ring work. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Since the initial reception, both good and bad, the movie has become a bona fide classic, being spoofed, revisited and referenced in different forms of media over the last three decades, with Macaulay himself most recently revisiting the character for an ad campaign with Home Instead. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 16 Nov. 2025

For well over a decade dance music has helped to define the musical mainstream, and artists nominated in the dance/electronic categories this year – including Disclosure, Fred Again.., Skrillex and FKA twigs – are bona fide stars who deserve more visible recognition. —Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025

In October, Florida utilized multiple lineups that included four true freshmen, with Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson becoming bona fide SEC stars in their first weeks of action. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025