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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spurious
The move has perturbed even some of Zelenskyy’s supporters — people who are simultaneously worried about the heavy-handed and potentially spurious crackdown on dissent, and that such criticisms against the Ukrainian leader might be used in bad faith by opponents in Moscow or Washington.
—
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 19 July 2025
Law enforcement officers would arrest young men, usually Black but also white, on spurious charges and lease them to private companies for profit.
—Time, 17 July 2025
Non-residents can go hunting for memories (accurate or spurious) in the public-facing areas on the lower floors, the 4 percent of the building that has been brilliantly restored.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 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.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 19 July 2025
Law enforcement officers would arrest young men, usually Black but also white, on spurious charges and lease them to private companies for profit.
—Time, 17 July 2025
Non-residents can go hunting for memories (accurate or spurious) in the public-facing areas on the lower floors, the 4 percent of the building that has been brilliantly restored.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 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.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
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In some ways, teens today are encountering a more enticing and dangerous system than the generations that came before them, one where counterfeit Oxycodone, Xanax, Percocet and Adderall are accessible on platforms like Facebook, Snapchat and Telegram.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
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Behind counterfeit fashion are men, women and children coerced into making, distributing or selling fake goods — often at great personal risk and with little gain.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bondi’s appearance on Fox News comes days after Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury on two of three counts sought by prosecutors, one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice, according to documents.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Sep. 2025
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Criminal court records reviewed by PEOPLE show the 35-year-old faces charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and a false report.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Also endangering the family name and business is a crooked deal made by Byron Hedges (Jack Gleeson), an illegitimate cousin helping Guinness expand into America, that promises 15% of all American profits to the Fenian Brotherhood.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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The play’s serious depiction of class politics and illegitimate birth were considered shocking by contemporary audiences.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sandu’s reelection came amidst an election that was laced with allegations of Russian interference and was marred by fake bomb threats.—
Rajeev Tyagi,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
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Jessica Guistolise, Megan Hurley and Molly Kelley talk with CNBC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 11, 2025, about fake pornographic images and videos depicting their faces made by their mutual friend Ben using AI site DeepSwap.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, his unnatural exit from the sport made headlines in his final season at the Bahrain Grand Prix through an incident that reminded everyone about the dangers of motorsport.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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Imitating the speech or body language of others during a conversation is another form of masking, along with forcing eye contact or facial expressions, which may feel unnatural.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, the forged carbon edition on a rubber strap will set you back at EUR 449 / INR 39,995 (not available in the U.S.).—
Prakhar Khanna,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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He’s charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Owain Jones of Pro Football Network has suggested Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer as a potential option for the Steelers in his new mock draft.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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New research found that the technology underpinning a slew of artificial intelligence models is now advanced enough to pass even the most difficult – Level III – mock exams in a matter of minutes.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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From frequent relocations to a carousel of careers (culminating in a stint in Hot Springs), his choices left indelible marks on those closest to him, including strained relationships and tangled finances.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
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In other instances, the lyrics feel a bit strained.—
Juan J. Arroyo,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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