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a genuine smile
a sincere smile
an authentic smile
a natural smile
a heartfelt smile
a kindhearted smile
a genuine effort
an earnest effort
a wholesome effort
an honest effort
a real effort
a legitimate effort
a genuine interest
a legitimate interest
a serious interest
a deep interest
a true interest
a sincere interest

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 And there is genuine emotion displayed when chef Tristen Epps gets word right before a big challenge that his father-in-law has died and his mother encourages him to continue competing. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025 As Edith slowly falls in love, Anton struggles to understand if his feelings for her are genuine or merely out of pity, while the ominous threat of the first World War looms over them. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 May 2025 On Friday, Jayaram also denied the parties’ dueling motions for summary judgment, saying there are genuine issues of material fact that must be settled at trial. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025 The pendant showcases a genuine Rose de France amethyst and sparkling diamonds. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for genuine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genuine
Adjective
  • Their authentic content can amplify your message more effectively than traditional ads.
    Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
  • The program represents a strategic play to capture the increasingly valuable Gen Z and Alpha generation markets through authentic local storytelling with global appeal.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • During the two-and-a-half years when one of the four tubes will be shut to train traffic, the current LIRR and Amtrak schedules — both of which were slightly reduced as of November in anticipation of the shutdown — should, in theory, be unaffected.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
  • In addition, although students with high SAT scores were largely unaffected by course shutouts, students with low SAT scores experienced more negative effects, particularly a lower likelihood of declaring a STEM major.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • All of his links to the real world are frayed or contrived.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
  • In this eerie tale about fear, lust, and female empowerment, the real question becomes whether this is an act of witchcraft—or a witch hunt.
    Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Comforting touch should be honest and clear – not ambiguous, not tentative and never assumed.
    Brian N. Chin, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
  • Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
    Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Johnny King Buck In 2006, Wisconsin deer hunter Johnny King shot what some folks believe is the true world-record typical whitetail.
    Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 May 2025
  • Brands can now measure interactions that happen across different channels and touchpoints, such as call center conversions or in-store actions—creating a true omnichannel view.
    Heidi Bullock, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • This is an exuberant, visually stylish imagining of soccer that, say some critics who played the beta preview, gets tantalizingly close to the pure physical joy of kicking an actual soccer ball around with your friends.
    Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 23 May 2025
  • But the whole point of the series is that Oscar can get away with this as there is no actual evidence.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Trevon Williams, who did not escape from the New Orleans jail, was charged with 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on May 23.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • As artificial intelligence models grow increasingly sophisticated, their capabilities extend far beyond simple task execution.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • The backlash to Bongino’s factual statement is part of a broader political phenomenon.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
  • This is a preview of The 1600—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Genuine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genuine. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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