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
The men who flocked to spring training sites were called scabs, cast as anti-union phonies. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phonies
Noun
  • By 2009, Nakamoto took Bitcoin from theory to reality, mining the Genesis Block, and then, once the rules were set, protections against counterfeits were secured, and Bitcoin began to circulate—still worth next to nothing—Nakamoto vanished.
    Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
  • While many online retailers and marketplaces have taken steps to address the marketing of counterfeits, others still haven’t put the requisite measures in place—like notice and takedown procedures, identity verification and policies to punish offenders—that would curb the behavior.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There are some elite frauds going on in the sports world right now.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • That will weed out the frauds, freeloaders and slumlords.
    Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This isn’t a war where AI fakes fool everyone nor where detection tools catch everything.
    Mahsa Alimardani, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
  • As with any market, more money means more scammers, and fakes abound — this past fall Sotheby’s cancelled two memorabilia auctions over authenticity concerns.
    Julie Brener Davich, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Obviously, these are hoaxes right now.
    March 17, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • These two pretenders reflect an insider debate whose subject is not the existence of the Islamic Republic but the best method of its survival.
    Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
  • The Cult of the Beaver has to fend off pretenders.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Jaime Alas scores in stoppage time and El Salvador forges a 3-3 tie that ousts the United States from Olympic soccer qualifying.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • So holding 18, 19, 20-year-old young men to those standards on a daily basis is what forges championship teams.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • She’s also gotten involved as a volunteer, making copies and helping with new student registration.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The superstar also holds the top-selling MLB jersey since the end of the World Series — and signed copies of his new children’s book, Decoy Saves Opening Day, which retail for $25, are reselling for over $1,000.
    Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The gauzy texture is made from organic cotton, and the decorative pillow shams have a highly dimensional stitching.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Madison Park Willa 6-Piece Cotton Quilt Set Bring light, spring energy into your bedroom with this quilt set that comes with matching floral shams and throw pillows.
    Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Phonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phonies. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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