GENUINE Synonyms: 244 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'genuine' contrast with its synonyms?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'authentic' take the place of 'genuine'?

While in some cases nearly identical to genuine , 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

Q: Where would 'bona fide' be a reasonable alternative to 'genuine'?

The words bona fide and genuine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention. // a bona fide offer for the stock

genuine

adjective

ˈjen-yə-wən

Definition of genuine

as in authentic

being exactly as appears or as claimed had a genuine van Gogh hanging in their living room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unaffected

free from any intent to deceive or impress others genuine compliments about her boss's flair for fashion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in real

existing in fact and not merely as a possibility there's genuine value in learning how to do household repairs on one's own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective genuine contrast with its synonyms?

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

In what contexts can authentic take the place of genuine?

While in some cases nearly identical to genuine, 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

Where would bona fide be a reasonable alternative to genuine?

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

a bona fide offer for the stock

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 genuine The attachment someone develops to Muse may be genuine, even though the relationship itself operates very differently from a human romance. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Fifty years of doctors who shrugged with genuine sympathy and said, rare. — Miranda Pappas, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 The actors easily sell the idea that these characters are awash in the genuine pleasures of mutual respect and desire. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Strong revenue growth, and accelerating demand for our clothes globally, tells us there is a genuine appetite for our British modern luxury proposition. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for genuine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for genuine

Adjective

Supporting this remarkable local treasure offers a rare chance to experience authentic culinary artistry from a true master.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
One guy painted all the signs in town One thing that gave Stars Hollow that authentic feel?

— Mara Reinstein, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of authentic

Adjective

The league said its review of Cooper’s conduct for potential violation of its personal conduct policy after a pair of domestic violence arrests in June remains ongoing and is unaffected by Cooper’s status change.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Researchers have long wondered why some people develop these reactions while others seem to skate by unaffected.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unaffected

Adjective

As in many of the attractions, he’s based on a real person who experienced certain events.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
The tension follows the women to Courtney’s event celebrating her husband’s birthday, where the real entertainment for the evening was Tia and Gizelle lacing stepping in the ring.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of real

Adjective

Andrew Durand, with his handsome crab-apple features, makes a perfectly quizzical Benjamin; Kelsee Kimmel is stirring as his true love, who shares his age just once.

— Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Founded in Switzerland in 2010, On has collaborated with an impressive roster of partners over the last 16 years, from tennis legend Roger Federer to Spanish fashion house Loewe, all while staying true to its mission of celebrating movement.

— Kasey Busiel, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

My honest read on timing is that the five percent will be twenty percent by end of 2027, and fifty by end of 2029.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The original impetus for the film, to be honest, was to look at an incredible life story over a long German period.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

While not entirely clear, the second stat here likely relates to how efficiently the cells are packaged inside the pack, rather than its actual volumetric energy density efficiency.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
However, the actual performance for input lag is a little mixed.

— M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of actual

Adjective

The actor wore a long black leather coat over a simple black tank, paired with straight-leg blue jeans cinched with a leather belt.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
The company played with flexible workdays instead of rigid schedules, clearer windows for collaboration, simpler rules for meetings, better ways to share and document work, and more intentional reasons for coming together in person.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of simple

Adjective

Dunlay said the city prepared the report to provide the City Council with factual information about investments in the 2nd District over a 10-year period.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Within Italy’s unscripted sphere, the factual genre has seen the most significant growth, up 36% in terms of number of hours, with the number of domestic factual titles adapted from international formats doubling.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of factual

Browse Nearby Words

genuflecting

genuine

genuinely

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Style

“Genuine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genuine. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of genuine

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