Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective authentic contrast with its synonyms?

The words bona fide and genuine are common synonyms of authentic. While all three words mean "being actually and exactly what is claimed," authentic implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact; it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original.

an authentic account of the perilous journey
an authentic reproduction
authentic Vietnamese cuisine

When can bona fide be used instead of authentic?

The words bona fide and authentic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention.

a bona fide offer for the stock

Where would genuine be a reasonable alternative to authentic?

The words genuine and authentic can be used in similar contexts, but genuine implies actual character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated; it also connotes definite origin from a source.

genuine piety
genuine maple syrup
a genuine Mark Twain autograph

Examples 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 authentic But rather than Bowers & Wilkins simply providing more of the equipment necessary for the day-to-day operation of Abbey Road Studios, the pair have instead created a unique digital audio algorithm that intends to create the authentic sound of the world’s most famous and celebrated recording studio. Simon Lucas, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024 Its biggest stars are now a lot more savvy and self-aware, making those messy, authentic moments harder to come by. Daisy Jones, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024 Instead, find respite, history, and the authentic spectres of former occupants and their employees. Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 Integrity involves being truthful and authentic in one’s words and actions. Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authentic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authentic
Adjective
  • Once in possession of the session cookie, the attacker can then, effectively, go back at any time and will be treated as a genuine user of your account as the cookie shows that session as, yep, authenticated.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The information the source supplies must be newsworthy and give readers genuine insight.
    Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Switch to Visible by Verizon Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
  • By seeking a forensic examination to access text messages and metadata, the plaintiffs aimed to move beyond potentially unreliable screenshots to establish a full and accurate picture of the communications, and the court agreed.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
    Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024
  • In this novel about the shape-shifting nature of love, Parsons captures Kit’s grief in aching and honest terms.
    Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This is true of baking, and even more so of risotto.
    Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Worse still, the falsehood was a double-down of the AI insisting that the remark was true.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • What's next for the Red Sox? Ideally for them, the Red Sox could add another starter, and FanSided's Zachary Rotman feels like this is a real possibility.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The editing was also choppy at times and there seemed no real flow to the season in terms of tribe dynamics.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Episodes routinely attract millions of viewers and listeners across platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, however, the exact earnings remain undisclosed.
    Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
  • An exact closing date wasn’t announced, but it’s expected to shutter in February.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Post falsely claims image shows Bashar Assad in Moscow The original CNN video, posted on Dec. 6, shows international correspondent Jomana Karadsheh interviewing al-Golani about the rebel advance in Syria.
    Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Without a streaming network of its own, licensing its intellectual property and original content is part of Sony’s strategy to compete with streaming giants like Netflix, Disney and Amazon.
    John Towfighi, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near authentic

Cite this Entry

“Authentic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authentic. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on authentic

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