variants
also phoney
1
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud
a phony watch with a designer logo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
she always has this phony smile just before she betrays you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
her concern for our welfare is as phony as all get-out—she just wants to know our business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also phoney
1
as in hoax
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the fancy "emerald" ring turned out to be a phony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fraud
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
the person who performed the liposuction operation was later discovered to be a phony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to fake
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive
the terrorists were able to move around the country using phonied driver's licenses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of phony
Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Still, those sorts of phony statements have deeply diminished faith in our elections and our increasingly rickety democracy.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Which, of course, is what happens on newspapers and that’s why all these things sound so phoney.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
In fact, legislators and regulators are rolling back regulations designed to protect investors, who in this case are estimated to have lost $100 billion to phony Chinese firms.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 29 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for phony
Adjective
Engage in real, ongoing collaborations — not phony one-offs.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Still, those sorts of phony statements have deeply diminished faith in our elections and our increasingly rickety democracy.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
In retaliation, Sir Jimmy outs Kelson as a phony with a fatal stab to the gut, though that’s not enough to save his own life.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Which, of course, is what happens on newspapers and that’s why all these things sound so phoney.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
What constitutes the crime is to phony up business accounting records to disguise the payments.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
In fact, legislators and regulators are rolling back regulations designed to protect investors, who in this case are estimated to have lost $100 billion to phony Chinese firms.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 29 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for phony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phony
Adjective
-
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said that its agents seized counterfeit merchandise from Pittsburgh's Strip District ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
According to police, her alleged crimes met the criteria for grand theft under state law, which includes offenses involving more than $750 and the uttering of a counterfeit financial instrument.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many have given the 49ers an offensive tackle early in their mock drafts as a potential replacement for the 38-year-old Williams.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
That’s it for our final mock draft of the 2026 NFL Draft season!—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Between theater games, fake-blood logistics and a Grim Reaper costume, the teens begin to deal with their secrets and the truth of one fateful night.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Police believe most of the ransom notes received were fake.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The acquisition came after Jones was found guilty multiple times of defaming the families of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, after repeatedly describing the massacre as a hoax.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Over a recent five-year span, 4% of Amber Alerts nationwide were determined to be hoaxes, where people intentionally misled law enforcement.—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Los Angeles County alone, hundreds of hospice providers have been flagged with indicators of fraud, pointing to a level of activity that is far more systemic than isolated incidents.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
He has been charged by the Justice Department with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.—
Hallie Golden,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The costars forged a close kinship.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Paredes punched it to right-center field, scoring both runners and forging a 4-4 tie.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But that confidence could harbor false hope, says Kelly Richardson, principal of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for offering community association advice, and a monthly contributing writer to the Southern California News Group.—
Amancai Biraben,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The indictment also charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Chinese officials framed the panda transfer as part of a broader effort to strengthen scientific cooperation and cultural ties between the countries, even as relations remain strained.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Negron said the organizers looked carefully at the strained relations between the two countries and recent violence reports earlier this year in Puerto Vallarta, which is further south of the race’s finish line.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phony. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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