Synonyms of genuine

genuine

adjective

ˈjen-yə-wən 

1

as in authentic

being exactly as appears or as claimed

had a genuine van Gogh hanging in their living room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in unaffected

free from any intent to deceive or impress others

genuine compliments about her boss's flair for fashion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unaffected
• honest
• true
• real
• simple
• innocent
• sincere
• naive
• guileless
• spontaneous
• straightforward
• natural
• ingenuous
• unpretentious
• inexperienced
• artless
• unpretending
• on the level
• candid
• direct
• childlike
• open
• frank
• unsophisticated
• trustful
• straight
• unworldly
• impressionable
• unforced
• wide-eyed
• trusting
• plain
• malleable
• persuadable
• unstudied
• openhearted
• simpleminded
• gee-whiz
• plainspoken
• free
• unguarded
• dewy-eyed
• susceptible
• gullible
• persuasible
• exploitable
• single-minded
• free-spoken
• unwary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• false
• fake
• critical
• artificial
• phony
• assuming
• affected
• dishonest
• insincere
• suspicious
• artful
• skeptical
• cynical
• pretentious
• wary
• sophisticated
• worldly
• cosmopolitan
• mistrustful
• polished
• civilized
• cultured
• cultivated
• refined
• subtle
• deceptive
• guileful
• dissembling
• hypocritical
• dissimulating
• smooth
• sharp
• manipulative
• deceitful
• shrewd
• crooked
• cunning
• devious
• worldly-wise
• sly
• slick
• crafty
• wily
• tricky
• slippery
• designing
• shifty
• underhanded
• flattering
• foxy
• feigned
• unctuous
• calculating
• scheming
• arch
• strained
• double-dealing
• forced
• two-faced
• canny
• knavish
• sycophantic
• mealymouthed

3

as in real

existing in fact and not merely as a possibility

there's genuine value in learning how to do household repairs on one's own

Synonyms & Similar Words

• real
• actual
• factual
• true
• very
• effective
• concrete
• existent
• literal
• final
• sure-enough
• valid
• proven
• authentic
• absolute
• substantial
• demonstrated
• unmistakable
• validated
• realistic
• convincing
• unquestionable
• de facto
• undeniable
• tangible
• confirmed
• substantiated
• positive
• indisputable
• certain
• verifiable
• believable
• established
• objective
• incontrovertible
• irrefutable
• incontestable
• inescapable
• real-life
• real-world
• authenticated
• bona fide
• authoritative
• indubitable
• attested
• verified
• certified
• palpable
• hard
• certifiable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• possible
• potential
• theoretical
• ideal
• hypothetical
• nonexistent
• alleged
• platonic
• conjectural
• assumed
• supposed
• reputed
• fictitious
• fictional
• legendary
• illusory
• envisioned
• suppositional
• imagined
• fanciful
• romantic
• inexistent
• fabled
• fake
• conceived
• imaginary
• pictured
• chimerical
• envisaged
• visualized
• symbolic
• invented
• make-believe
• unreal
• pretend
• abstract
• fabricated
• virtual
• made-up

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

Recent Examples of genuine

What a genuine new golden age would require A true golden age of American science would not simply preserve the status quo. — H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Still, there's some genuine uncertainty about whether hormone therapy might help prevent heart disease. — Mara Gordon, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

Compared with Google’s once-user-friendly UI and more relevant results, combing through an AltaVista results page required patience and genuine skill that was honed over time. — Alan Bradley, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

An eclipse is short enough that distraction becomes a genuine hazard to observing. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026