phonies 1 of 2

variants also phoneys
Definition of phoniesnext
plural of phony

phonies

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of phony
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

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 phonies
Noun
At Dodger Stadium at the end of April, Crow-Amstrong also had to deal with the consequences of his actions — ripping Los Angeles Dodgers fans for being phonies in a Chicago magazine article that went viral. Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phonies
Noun
  • Unprosecuted crimes against the public — such as the widespread sale of 78-cent postage stamps for 19 cents to 59 cents, rolls of 100, counterfeits all, for years online.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • Its expert team enforces strict production rules, promotes the brand globally, fights counterfeits and certifies every wheel.
    Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Lindberg, 56, pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring to defraud insurers and thousands of policy holders in one of the largest insurance frauds in US history, federal prosecutors said in a statement.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
  • The Man Who Stole Portugal is inspired by the titular true crime book by Murray Teigh Bloom about Alves dos Reis, who pulled off one of the largest frauds in history against the Bank of Portugal in 1925.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The conflict escalates when Stoner fails Lomax’s protégé, Charles Walker, a student who fakes his seminar report and lacks basic knowledge.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
  • Jenna Ushkowitz was a Spring Awakening costar of Lea Michele's when Ryan Murphy cast her to play the one-time goth Tina, who fakes a stutter to stand out at school.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • All of the threats, including the one at Zoo Atlanta, turned out to be hoaxes.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 18 May 2026
  • Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, has also been the subject of death hoaxes in the past, including in 2018, when a fake article reporting his death circulated online.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Now, hardship seems to be an end in itself, a battle scar or badge of honor that distinguishes true backpackers from mere pretenders.
    Tim Brinkhof, Time, 4 May 2026
  • This is where hype turns into hard numbers, and contenders start getting separated from pretenders.
    Geoff Clark OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Duncan forges ahead with Carl as his new partner.
    Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
  • McCartney just forges ahead, and nothing can stop him.
    Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Multiple copies of Howl, Kaddish, and assembled collections of complete verse lined (and still line) my bookshelves.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Save every record Keep copies of any letters, account notices, bills, screenshots or emails tied to the fraud.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • This quilt and shams set is reversible, lightweight, high-quality, and breathable.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 28 May 2026
  • The king-size quilt measures 90x180 inches, and also comes with two matching 20x36-inch shams.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Phonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phonies. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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