PHONY-BALONEY Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

phony-baloney

adjective

ˈfō-nē-bə-ˈlō-nē

variants or phoney-baloney

Definition of phony-baloney

as in fake

not being or expressing what one appears to be or express if you believe the company's phony-baloney press releases, it's in business solely for the benefit of mankind

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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 phony-baloney Namely, their own phony-baloney, six-figure jobs. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phony-baloney

Adjective

The company behind a poll that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass touted as showing her with a double-digit lead in the mayoral race said the survey was entirely fake and part of a social experiment.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
There’s much more for fans of special effects to discover, from the practical snow used whenever feasible to the geysers of fake blood used to comedic effect.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

But for a college freshman with a Venmo balance and a favorite team, the distinction is meaningless.

— Emily Stack, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
On the surface to the casual fan, Saturday night’s preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals was a meaningless exhibition smack-dab in the middle of one of the toughest months of the year for football fans.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of meaningless

Adjective

There is something deeply hypocritical about discovering and using the language of women’s liberation only when your own status, reputation, or income is at stake.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
That some people in these industries, including those who are well paid, would look at our economy and seek out other ways of doing things is neither hypocritical nor surprising.

— Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Adjective

Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.

— Essence, Essence, 23 Nov. 2025

Definition of lip

Adjective

The expert becomes the manager of an artificial team, reviewing, redirecting, correcting, and sharpening outputs at speed.

— Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
What happens if artificial companionship becomes society’s default response to loneliness, dementia, disability, and a shortage of human care?

— Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of artificial

Adjective

Without that foundation, increasingly sophisticated tools may simply scale superficial thinking.

— Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Without that foundation, AI initiatives risk becoming superficial overlays on legacy infrastructure not designed to support them.

— William Jones, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of superficial

Browse Nearby Words

phony

phony-baloney

phonying

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“Phony-baloney.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phony-baloney. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of phony-baloney

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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