phony-baloney

adjective

ˈfō-nē-bə-ˈlō-nē How to pronounce phony-baloney (audio)
variants or phoney-baloney
Definition of phony-baloneynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. fake
  2. double
  3. meaningless
  4. phony
  5. hypocritical
  6. lip
  7. artificial
  8. superficial
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
  • In that August 17 game, PCA went 4-for-5, with two homers, a double, a single, and three RBIs.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Jac Caglianone led off the seventh with a double, then scored on Vinnie Pasquantino's double.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of double
Adjective
  • Knowing what ingredients are required on paper is meaningless if the chef has never actually turned on the stove or managed a high-stakes kitchen rush.
    — Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Jared Sternberg, founder of Gondwana Ecotours, argues that comparing Alaska to Phoenix is meaningless.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of meaningless
Adjective
  • Bass was far from the only person or group duped by the phony poll.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The handbook also allegedly directed sales agents to offer up phony descriptions of how the fees worked.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of phony
Adjective
  • Some players cited the league’s partnerships with sports betting companies as hypocritical or even laying the foundation for this sort of scandal.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • Amendments placed on the ballot by lawmakers would still need only a statewide majority — a distinction critics call hypocritical.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 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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Cite this Entry

“Phony-baloney.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phony-baloney. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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