Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bona fide contrast with its synonyms?

The words authentic and genuine are common synonyms of bona fide. While all three words mean "being actually and exactly what is claimed," bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention.

a bona fide offer for the stock

When is authentic a more appropriate choice than bona fide?

The meanings of authentic and bona fide largely overlap; however, 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 could genuine be used to replace bona fide?

The synonyms genuine and bona fide are sometimes interchangeable, 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

Example 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 bona fide From 1935 to 1938, Temple was the biggest box office draw in the world, filling more seats in theaters than leading man Clark Gable and bona fide superstars like Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo. Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025 Venable isn’t worried about not having a bona fide leadoff hitter. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 This is the bona fide vacation season, after all. Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 19 Mar. 2025 Time magazine, after all, has turned its Person of the Year and Time 100 list as bona fide franchises, and has had success pushing into film and TV production. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bona fide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bona fide
Adjective
  • Throw in two kids and a wife to care for, there’s undeniably a lot going on, but in a way that Kota says keeps him focused and motivated on creating authentic music and an authentic life.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This purity translates to a cleaner taste and a more authentic representation of the strain’s flavor profile.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis hailed as 'true advocate for peace' In 2019, Francis became the first pontiff to set foot on the peninsula where Islam was born.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But against the Cavaliers, against the length of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Ware stands essential, on a Heat roster that lacks a true backup center.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The album is raw, honest, and deeply personal—a sonic letter to women and their stories, both told and untold.
    Nour Ezzedine, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This accountability between sustainability initiatives and resilience among uncertainty is sparking more honest conversations, leading to more realistic goal setting and, ultimately, more meaningful progress.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Back here in the real world, other Under 30 honorees are harnessing AI to tackle important problems.
    Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • That for real was like holding the mirror up to myself.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Between the lines: Paxton is a genuine Trump ally and is eager to hit Cornyn for being a Washington establishment figure rather than true MAGA.
    Stef W. Kight, Axios, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This is a moment of genuine courage and growth, but it can be dismissed as snitching by viewers who can’t see past her overconfidence from several hours ago.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tesla also has refreshed its original Model Y with exterior and interior changes.
    Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Columbus is an original MLS club that has built a positive reputation as a visionary.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.
    Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
  • During the vote, Fraga said the resolution is giving direction for the city’s legal department and administration to enter into a letter of understanding with ICE, but not the actual memorandum of understanding.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Anew Fitness removes these barriers by providing certified trainers who specialize in senior fitness, guiding participants through workouts tailored to their abilities.
    USA Today, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Synology's firmware, as of this writing, allows for a configuration file edit that can disable checks for certified drives.
    Kevin Purdy, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bona fide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bona%20fide. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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