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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 While the performative male has been mocked online for appearing inauthentic, Rosen and Park see it as a net positive that men are making an effort to develop genuine taste and veer away from leather recliners with cup holders and T-shirts as pillowcases. Viv Chen, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2025 But critics say these systems can't always distinguish between existing scratches, dirt or lighting changes, and genuine new damage. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv intends to expand such attacks, which Ukrainian officials and commanders have framed as a means to undermine Moscow's war effort and force the Kremlin into genuine negotiations. David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2025 What truly matters is the chance to get to know him better, revealing her genuine desire to deepen their bond beyond any external divisions. EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for genuine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genuine
Adjective
  • Candy didn’t wear that particular internal organ on his sleeve so much as model whole outfits made out of it, and the sheer abundance of his authentic niceness is I Like Me‘s prime running motif.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
  • But as long as buyers like Mao Mao are around with money to spend on cute – if not authentic – Labubu, the market for fakes could be around for some time yet.
    Haicen Yang, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Outside of health care and social assistance, a sector in which job growth seems to be unaffected by over-all trends, the downturn in hiring extended across large parts of the economy, with fewer than half of all private-sector industries adding jobs last month.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The 2026 visa cap has already been reached, meaning current sponsorships are unaffected.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Meeting these expectations has put real strain on automotive retail, challenging dealers to know when to rely on intelligent tools—and when to step in with human expertise.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The final debut group will be selected through real-time global voting during the live broadcast.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.
    Steve Sedgwick, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But when those larger firms start to adopt similar habits—open forums, early interventions, honest check-ins—things change fast.
    Stephan Lendi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Redshirt junior Colton Boomer and true freshman Canaan Moore ach missed a field goal — Boomer from 46 yards and Moore from 24.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Red maple Red maple stays true to its name.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the latest episode on his YouTube channel SciShow is all about knitting, and how science is elevating the lowly craft to a place of actual importance.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • That the engagement news is more important than the actual wedding.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With just a few chairs, a handful of tables and a simple tent, the setting was intimate but filled with love and intention.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • And one of these, for those of us accustomed to British conventions but who follow the game in continental Europe, is the simple passage of time.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Johnson, a San Francisco Chronicle reporter who covered the fire, served as a consultant on the film to ensure factual accuracy.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Second, add a short factual reason that highlights value—not your worth as a person.
    Joyce Marter, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Genuine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genuine. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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