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
Two years ago, several small-business owners testified to a legislative committee that Americans with Disabilities Act plaintiffs’ lawyers filed spurious complaints, alleging what appeared to be a random list of violations in an attempt to frighten and intimidate the business owner.
—
Mark Hillman, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
But the price uptick in SA in 2024 Q2 and Q3 is spurious.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Americans were just treated to a variety of spurious allegations by two onetime State Department employees.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 13 Jan. 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, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Mark Hillman, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
But the price uptick in SA in 2024 Q2 and Q3 is spurious.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Americans were just treated to a variety of spurious allegations by two onetime State Department employees.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 13 Jan. 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, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
-
Also known as package confusion, this form of attack was first demonstrated in 2021 in a proof-of-concept exploit that executed counterfeit code on networks belonging to some of the biggest companies on the planet, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla included.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
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In February 2018, during the previous Trump administration, Ortega-Anguiano tried to reenter the U.S. with a counterfeit document.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Last year’s 17-9 start proved to be a false spring, one that lulled fans into thinking Craig Counsell replacing David Ross was the real difference between an 83-win Cubs team and the postseason.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Environmental protection versus energy affordability is a false choice.—
Noah Ginsburg,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And use the company’s publicly available number, not the one the caller provides, which is probably illegitimate.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Trump himself has suggested moral equivalence between the two sides, claiming Ukraine was at fault for provoking the war, that President Zelensky was illegitimate and that the U.S. should recognize Russia’s annexations of Ukrainian territory.—
Eric Green,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With digital platforms flooded with bots and fake numbers, Kerns built his following and client base by offering true engagement, authority, and working systems.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
Swatting is when a 911 call is made, usually to report a fake violent crime, to get police and sometimes even SWAT teams, to respond to the address given by the caller.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While headphones usually create an unnatural and exaggerated stereo field inside the listener’s head, with virtual acoustic spaces a more natural stereo field can be experienced through headphones.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Photos often have unnatural colors, with little detail upon close inspection.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The outlet stated that prosecutor Cray explained how the suspect had used a forged license to purchase a gun and 100 cartridges for around $843 (£650) from a private seller.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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She was charged with misdemeanor identity theft and criminal possession of a forged instrument, later pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count.—
Katie Langford,
The Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some mock drafts had the Steelers taking a running back like Omarion Hampton in the first round.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Lucky for us, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz dives right into that dicey proposition with his very, very early look at the players who could be prominent figures in mock drafts to come.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Burns had a strained relationship with his own father, and the Salarnos took him in as one of their own.—
Gabriella Demirdjian,
CBS News,
2 May 2025
-
Text messages sent in the hours leading up to O’Keefe’s death read aloud to the court by a Massachusetts state trooper show the couple were at a strained point in their relationship.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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