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
To this point, the match had been defined by spurious shouts for handball rather than any Tottenham attacking play.
—
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 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
While all these claims were eventually discredited, Setlow said many other spurious findings have been published in respected scientific journals.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Seismologists chalked up these spurious readings to instrument errors.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 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
While all these claims were eventually discredited, Setlow said many other spurious findings have been published in respected scientific journals.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Seismologists chalked up these spurious readings to instrument errors.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
-
Detectives from the Glendale Police Department said Auriona Lewis, 24 and Tatiyanna Foster, 26, allegedly used counterfeit $100 bills to purchase small orders and receive change.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Two people allegedly used $100 counterfeit bills at dozens of In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Southern California in a wide-reaching scam.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Plants that provide winter interest, including sedums, goldenrod, blue false indigo, and ornamental grasses.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Today’s teenagers can produce a TikTok video in minutes, but how many of them will learn to analyze the president’s false claim that Tylenol causes autism?—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
So Maduro is an illegitimate leader.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Maduro was an illegitimate despot who had violated every agreement, including one in 2023 with the Biden administration, which proposed to lift sanctions in exchange for holding free and fair elections.—
Garry Kasparov,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The board cited recent state and federal decisions, which have both noted the issue of AI programs citing fake legal citations is growing.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Howze, who has schizophrenia, was also able to escape the hospital following the incident, only to be return a few days later wearing a visitor’s pass with a fake name.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The semi-annual sale includes so many elegant staples, such as mock-neck cardigans, jackets with unique embellishments, and comfortable pants that look super polished — all starting at just $20.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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She’s arrived early for her first shift and has already started the residents and med students on some training by way of mock codes.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Mangione, who is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, faces New York state charges, including one count of second-degree murder, seven counts of various weapons charges, and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
13 Dec. 2025
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State-level terror charges were thrown out earlier this year, but Mangione still faces second-degree murder, seven counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and possession of a forged ID in New York.—
Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich,
FOXNews.com,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
31 Dec. 2025
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The handsome pair of actors play sniper specialists from enemy countries who must each take a long shift on opposite sides of a massive trench where some unnatural monsters apparently lurk below.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Paramount’s most valuable creative asset, Taylor Sheridan, quickly announced his exit after the Skydance merger was complete, citing strained relationships with the new leadership, a desire for more creative control, and disputes over projects.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Roasted beets pair with fresh herbs, fennel, spiced pepitas, and a swoop of strained yogurt.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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