1
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud
a spurious Picasso painting that wouldn't have fooled an art expert for a second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in false
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
claimed that the governor's election-year enthusiasm for conservation was spurious, since he had cut funding for state parks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in illegitimate
born to a father and mother who are not married
the spurious son of Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth would later mount a rebellion in a disastrous attempt to claim the throne
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 spurious
Soon papers were published with claims of galaxies at redshifts of 10, 11 and even higher—and while many of those preliminary measurements wound up being spurious, several were ultimately confirmed out to redshifts greater than 14.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 Dec. 2025
Though the book largely revolves around spurious media coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza, El Akkad’s great talent is in showing how, over the past few decades, corporate journalism and western powers have undermined our ability to confront global atrocities.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Concerns about relationships or work are hovering on the mind, and our imagination is often grinding through spurious scenarios, gauging how to manage these situations.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
The most negative and spurious viral videos are the ones that are leading to the most views for advertisers.
—John Brandon, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 Dec. 2025
Though the book largely revolves around spurious media coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza, El Akkad’s great talent is in showing how, over the past few decades, corporate journalism and western powers have undermined our ability to confront global atrocities.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Concerns about relationships or work are hovering on the mind, and our imagination is often grinding through spurious scenarios, gauging how to manage these situations.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
The most negative and spurious viral videos are the ones that are leading to the most views for advertisers.
—John Brandon, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
-
During the operation, the suspects rented a shipping container to store materials and millions of counterfeit tablets awaiting distribution.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Authorities said Hurwitz killed Moreau to cover up a counterfeit ticket scheme at the nightclub, KOIN 6, Fox News, and the Portland Tribune report.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Their most recent lawsuit alleges trademark infringement and counterfeiting, along with false designation of origin and seeks unspecified damages from the online sellers.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
-
His reflections on the controversies and critical snubbings that greeted movies that have since become consensus masterpieces are nuanced without descending into false modesty.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At the start of the season, Sophie — who was born out of an illegitimate relationship between her father, Lord Penwood, and her mother, his maid and mistress — is living with and working for Lady Araminta (Katie Leung), her father's widow.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Apple Music introduced fraud penalties back in 2022, where along with demonetizing the illegitimate streams themselves, the company employed a sliding scale of fining fraudsters a fee calculated on what would’ve been royalties.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At one point, Melania is shown watching television coverage of the proceedings on CNN, apparently unconcerned that the network only traffics in fake news.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Authorities have said the backpack contained a ghost gun, fake IDs, a notebook and other writings detailing Mangione’s grievances against the private health care system in the United States.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The mock drafts have already started pouring in from national draft experts.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Ten days before Wagler dropped 46 points on Purdue on just 17 shots, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had the former Shawnee Mission Northwest star going 18th overall in his latest NBA mock draft.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some key upgrades, including forged pistons, boosted output to 200 hp, resulting in a proto-M3 that could hit a top speed of 140 mph.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Hunter Byrnes, 29, of Charlestown, Indiana, was charged with more than 100 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
If anything, Amorim proved too defiantly wedded to his own ‘way’, a 3-4-2-1 system which had to force-fit players into unnatural roles.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The strained awkwardness of Adelina and Alban’s gestures of generosity underscore the class disparity between the city dwellers and their relatives.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel were already severely strained after South Africa — a longtime supporter of the Palestinian people — accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in a case at the United Nations’ top court.—
Gerald Imray,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
