Definition of genuinenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective genuine contrast with its synonyms?

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

In what contexts can authentic take the place of genuine?

While in some cases nearly identical to genuine, 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

Where would bona fide be a reasonable alternative to genuine?

The words bona fide and genuine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention.

a bona fide offer for the stock

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 genuine That approach still ensures candidates demonstrate genuine support without making ballot access prohibitively difficult. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026 To confirm the streaks were genuine, the team carefully traced them back to a single region near the moon’s edge – well away from the area where sunlight hit directly. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026 At the height of the sectarian war, parts of Baghdad were so riddled with impromptu militia checkpoints that many Iraqis started carrying two official-looking IDs — one genuine and the other a forgery with a last name and birthplace associated with the other sect. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026 The love everyone had for her was genuine. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for genuine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genuine
Adjective
  • These age prediction tools, introduced at the start of 2026, use factors such as the length of time an account has been active and its usage patterns to determine the authentic age of the user.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026
  • There are multiple clues that the video was not authentic, including two cars on the left side of the clip that appear stuck together and a man in the bottom-right corner whose elbow seems to move straight through a backpack.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • It’s soon determined that Grace will be part of a crew on a one-way journey to the unaffected star to figure out why, and then send the answer back to Earth.
    Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Nowadays, the Southwest Chief is run by Amtrak (which gets government funding but operates independently enough to be unaffected by recent government shutdowns).
    Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • There are worse places to steal away for a work call back to the real world, or to finish a book.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Is that in any way a real check on Live Nation’s power?
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • To make money talks less tense, prioritize choices that reflect your true worth.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
  • That has certainly been true of artificial intelligence.
    Rebecca Winthrop, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • More intriguing are the honest and intentional stories about how regular people move through landscapes defined by entropy and division but also community.
    Jake Pitre, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
  • August 23 – September 22 Being honest doesn’t mean being unkind.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • So if a person thinks about moving their hand, the device reads those brain signals and turns them into an actual movement.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Rodin had last been there on December 28, 1949—the actual date of the visit.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Engineers have developed a simple strategy to help robots remain stable while repairing satellites in orbit by using a second robotic arm to counterbalance movements.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Whether this internal awareness constitutes the kind of corporate knowledge that supports liability is a central factual question for the jury to decide.
    Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Overall, responses were 18% less likely to contain factual mistakes.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Genuine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genuine. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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