variants
also phoney
1
as in fake
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 bogus
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 meaningless
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 counterfeit
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 sham
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
Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
For example, a soldier awaiting punishment for poor behavior might seek phony whistleblower protections by alleging their supervisor or commander is toxic or discriminatory.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Armond White, National Review, 23 July 2025
The second batch of players then play a comp to find the missing relic amid a sea of phonies.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 10 July 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
The complacent faces of phony mediums swirl in my head, along with unsettling spirit photographs and images of puppies that had died with a sudden yelp for no apparent reason.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
For example, a soldier awaiting punishment for poor behavior might seek phony whistleblower protections by alleging their supervisor or commander is toxic or discriminatory.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Liberal Ted Garcia is a slick political phony — a cartoonish whitewash of actual government authoritarians (Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, Andrew Cuomo, etc.).
—Armond White, National Review, 23 July 2025
The second batch of players then play a comp to find the missing relic amid a sea of phonies.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 10 July 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
-
Cybercriminals often use fake promotional emails or ads that look like real store offers.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Linhardt said the bogus bills are likely left over from a previous film production in the Keys.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The audit notices are denying fuel credits and a bogus self-employment tax income that was claimed when the the taxpayers were not even self-employed, Wease said.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Without the artist, the law becomes meaningless.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
On Saturday, a group of Texas A&M fans gathered in a hole in the LSU student section and did some of LSU’s cheers after the Tigers scored a meaningless touchdown in the final moments.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Superfakes follows a small-time Chinatown luxury counterfeit dealer who enters a dangerous black-market underworld to fund a life of suburban respectability for her family.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
For a bedding refresh, this duvet cover set is available in 26 colors and includes matching shams.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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This three-piece set from Chezmoi Collection includes a bedspread and two matching shams that resist pilling, shrinking, and thinning over time, all while regulating temperature to prevent overheating.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Set in the world of women’s basketball, the film follows two phenoms who forge an extraordinary bond as teammates until fame, competition and the ruthless business of college athletics threaten to turn their friendship into an epic rivalry.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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In addition to forging his music career, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter—who left his career on Wall Street to pursue his dreams—is a lawyer, actor, and TV reporter.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Several residents who work in the Georgia King Village area weighed in on the incident, including Harriette Guity, who told News12 that false reports based on AI could stretch first responders thin.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Archaeologists concluded the structure was actually a false tomb, or a cenotaph, a type of burial monument erected to honor a deceased person buried elsewhere.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Gadjovich went pseudo-viral following Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final last season, a 6-1 Panthers win over the Edmonton Oilers, following a full line brawl in the third period capped by a lengthy fight between Gadjovich and the Oilers’ Darnell Nurse.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Many of the individual works are stellar, but the theme is so baggy as to be meaningless, and the wall labels have a rote, pseudo-academic quality.—
Sebastian Smee,
Washington Post,
14 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Phony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phony. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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