variants
also phoney
1
as in fake
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud
a phony watch with a designer logo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bogus
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
she always has this phony smile just before she betrays you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in meaningless
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
her concern for our welfare is as phony as all get-out—she just wants to know our business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also phoney
1
as in counterfeit
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the fancy "emerald" ring turned out to be a phony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sham
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
the person who performed the liposuction operation was later discovered to be a phony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to fake
to imitate or copy especially in order to deceive
the terrorists were able to move around the country using phonied driver's licenses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of phony
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Now it is being described by the current administration as something full of phony dead people.
—Kathleen O'Neil, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2024
His character, called The Passenger, is unpredictable, violent and has no patience for phonies, though there is an emotional key to his madness.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 July 2024
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
In fact, legislators and regulators are rolling back regulations designed to protect investors, who in this case are estimated to have lost $100 billion to phony Chinese firms.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 29 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for phony
Adjective
Swindlers have now moved on with phony dodges using the nation’s tollway system as an unwilling partner.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Now it is being described by the current administration as something full of phony dead people.
—Kathleen O'Neil, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
The comment was Vance's response after Beshear had previously called him a phony and not a Kentuckian and implied heavily that nepotism was the only reason Beshear is governor.
—Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2024
His character, called The Passenger, is unpredictable, violent and has no patience for phonies, though there is an emotional key to his madness.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 July 2024
Verb
What constitutes the crime is to phony up business accounting records to disguise the payments.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
In fact, legislators and regulators are rolling back regulations designed to protect investors, who in this case are estimated to have lost $100 billion to phony Chinese firms.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 29 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for phony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phony
Adjective
-
Expect more fake eggs made of colored marshmallows or even potatoes on this year’s Easter spread With egg prices stubbornly high, the internet has offered up a host of alternatives, with crafters painting rocks and influencers dyeing everything from marshmallows to potatoes.—
William Lambers,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
-
This dog sofa features furniture-quality construction, with fake leather upholstery, memory foam internal padding and legs to hold it off the floor.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Related article Extreme volatility sends US stocks on a roller coaster ride as Wall Street is rattled by tariffs The jolt into positive territory was short-lived — a spark of hope kindled by a bogus rumor that Trump was weighing a three-month delay on tariffs.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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There have been plenty of demonstrations of the inefficiency of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), from having to rehire workers to being forced to admit claims of vast savings were bogus.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Also; regardless if the Rockies are good or bad; shouldn’t they be applauded for bringing up prospects early and not pausing for a future control that might be meaningless?—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Yes, the games are meaningless.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Amazon uses artificial intelligence and other technology to continuously monitor listings on its site for potential counterfeits and non-compliant products.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The order notes that the exception could be used to bring in counterfeits or drugs.—
Joseph Lawler,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There are plenty of superhero properties out there that fall into the trap of having their antagonists do something heinous to prove that their otherwise just reasons are a sham, but surely in this case, if Maximus (Iwan Rheon) hadn’t staged a coup, another of the Inhuman subjects would’ve. 23.—
Nola Pfau,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
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The sunny set includes a quilt in twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king sizes and matching shams to create a cohesive look in your space.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The film, which is represented internationally by Pathé, follows a woman who leaves her hometown to forge a bigger and better life for herself, but must return home because of a family emergency.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Cuban forged a particular bond with Dumont, sensing long-term business opportunities with the son-in-law of Miriam Adelson, Sheldon’s widow.—
C. Clark, D. Aldridge, S. Amick, F. Katz,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But the jitters still shook him, a false-start whistle blowing on his first 40-yard attempt at February’s NFL combine.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
-
So the entire trip is based on a false pretense.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This could certainly change if the Rockets land a certain French teenager in this year's draft lottery, but the first half of 2022-23 has assuaged some concerns about the long-term viability of a pseudo-twin-towers in the starting lineup with Jabari Smith flanked by Alperen Şengün.—
Michael Shapiro,
Chron,
15 Jan. 2023
-
In a code division scheme, each call is encoded in a random or pseudo-random sequencing, and receivers at the other end are equipped to decode their own calls.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Apr. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Phony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phony. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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