variants
also phoneys
1
as in counterfeits
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the fancy "emerald" ring turned out to be a phony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frauds
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 fakes
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phonies
Noun
-
While fake goods have exchanged hands in informal markets since ancient times, the growth of online marketplaces has contributed to the rise in counterfeits because of how easy online shopping and selling have become.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,Paige Tortorelli,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025 -
Marq Vision was cofounded in 2020 by Mark Lee, a former McKinsey consultant who holds a Doctor of Law from Harvard, to identify counterfeits in online listings using AI.—
Zinnia Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Notice how these two Third World frauds are in federal custody, not state.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Although the stage musical only shows Dorothy’s shadow from the other side of a scrim, her inclusion in the story is pivotal for Elphaba, who fakes her death after the Wizard of Oz protagonist throws a bucket of water on the Wicked Witch of the West.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
-
On fourth-and-2 from 48-yard line, Nix fakes pitch to Dobbins and Sutton is open from moment left line of scrimmage because of formation.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Forgeries, hoaxes, and other types of literary fakery have preoccupied Havens, a rare books and manuscripts curator at the university’s Stern Center for the History of the Book, for many years now.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Week 10 kicked off the month with several examples of contenders and pretenders revealing themselves.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Week 9 of the college football season separated some contenders from pretenders.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maersk plans to deepen its commitment with India as the country forges ahead with its ambitious $1 trillion maritime and shipbuilding transformation.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
-
As Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, forges an historic first week, its accolades extend to Billboard’s radio charts.—
Gary Trust,
Billboard,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The cookbooks, about 80,000 copies, sold through the 2000s in Minnesota and beyond and, along with other philanthropic efforts by the organization, raised $822,404 in scholarships and grants (minus operating expenses).—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This is why the delegates translated it into multiple languages immediately and sent copies intended for King Louis XVI of France and King Carlos III of Spain on the first ship bound for Europe on July 8.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The quilt is lightweight, airy, and features a raw edge on both the quilt and shams (sold separately).—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The diamond pattern is reversible, and the set comes with two matching shams.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Phonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phonies. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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