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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in illegitimacy
the state or fact of being born out of wedlock
the spuriousness of her birth had always bothered her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
-
Low-quality or counterfeit imports have been an issue.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
-
That the products allegedly had such errors, Levi’s said, shows that PBG willfully perpetuated a counterfeit scheme.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Uncanny valley is a term for a reason: The brain can only take so much false information that’s appears to be real.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
Comments Steve Burns understands first-hand the detrimental impact online rumors and false narratives can have on public figures.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
From this perspective, the familiar elements of the Nativity—the stable, the shepherds, the Magi—were not meant to paper over the embarrassment at Jesus’ illegitimacy.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
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From this perspective, the familiar elements of the Nativity—the stable, the shepherds, the Magi—were not meant to paper over the embarrassment at Jesus’ illegitimacy.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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One way bots attack businesses is by creating fake accounts that can cash in on incentives like referral credit, discounts and promotions.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Multiple sclerosis bends his limbs in sharp, unnatural angles.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
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A week ago, TikTok birthed a strange meme, proposing that the big hat that Zendaya wore back in 2014 during the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party contained something unnatural.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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China also makes more large cast and forged products—including landing gear, engine components, brakes, turbine disks, and fan blades—than the next nine countries combined.—
MICHAEL BROWN,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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It is crafted from forged zinc and finished in matte black.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 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
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Congratulations to all the top scorers who competed against 1,527 mock drafts!—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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