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
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Instead of dreaming up phony civilizational wars, Fine should get out more.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 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
Afterward, film executive Mike Medavoy and producer Robert Chartoff cornered Jackson and complained that his answers sounded phony.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Instead of dreaming up phony civilizational wars, Fine should get out more.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 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
-
Federal agents arrested Granati and Ortuno and found counterfeit Spanish and Venezuelan passports and driver licenses on them, the affidavit says.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Though rocket and drone attacks are also to blame, another major hazard is GPS (Global Positioning System) spoofing—the transmission of counterfeit satellite navigation signals.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The video was a standout moment alongside the romantic ballad, though, as Bruno picked up the guitar and delivered on the Latin love story with a mock wedding — and pulled on the heartstrings with a relationship that just about everyone would sign up to grow old for.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Wildcats feature potential first-round picks in freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, with Motiejus Krivas mentioned in some mock drafts.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If filmmakers can prompt fake actors to deliver precise performances, where does that leave human actors?—
Holly Willis,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The 18-minute fake pitch meeting!—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
From online hoaxes about wildfires in Los Angeles and Hawaii to Russian and extremist propaganda during Hurricane Helene, information manipulation is warping responses to climate change and extreme weather.—
Michael Chertoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Adams can no longer practice medicine in Putnam County or anywhere in Tennessee, according to state records made public in January that reveal his elaborate hoax.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Republicans, who control half of the Minnesota House, pointed out that DHS failed to detect fraud for years.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Ron Yukelson San Luis Obispo Agree with Times columnist Mirjam Swanson, Bam Adebayo’s a fraud!—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Brown forged an unexpected new life after the execution of her abolitionist husband John Brown.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Their bond is forged when the children’s TV show host helps the jaded journalist navigate a difficult relationship with his problematic father.—
Suzanne Van Atten,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chapman is charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase and engaging in the business of firearms dealing without a license.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Thomas Edward Manfredi, 33, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and making a false police report, according to an arrest warrant.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When Sony ultimately gets its way, Anderson and DiCaprio’s once-close relationship is noticeably strained on set.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those claims at a White House meeting last year that underlined the strained relationship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phony. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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