phony 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfō-nē How to pronounce phony (audio)
variants also phoney
Definition of phonynext
1
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud a phony watch with a designer logo

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality she always has this phony smile just before she betrays you

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fake
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

phony

2 of 3

noun

variants also phoney
1
as in hoax
an imitation that is passed off as genuine the fancy "emerald" ring turned out to be a phony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fraud
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise the person who performed the liposuction operation was later discovered to be a phony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

phony

3 of 3

verb

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

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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 phony
Adjective
Located in Sachs’ studio at 245 Centre Street, the phony Chanel store has a sign with 31 Rue Cambon on its front door, and a black Chanel-esque ensemble in one street-front window and a red one in the other. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 But when the obvious answer is to start Cousins and let Mendoza grow for a bit at the beginning of the regular season, this tactic by Kubiak seems phony. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
Even today, students can tell you that the biggest phony in the book is Holden himself. — Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 At Dodger Stadium at the end of April, Crow-Amstrong also had to deal with the consequences of his actions — ripping Los Angeles Dodgers fans for being phonies in a Chicago magazine article that went viral. — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Verb
So Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director, who’s been busy trying to phony up charges of mortgage fraud against New York Attorney General Tish James and others, is now the acting DNI. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for phony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phony
  1. counterfeit
  2. mock
  3. fake
  4. hoax
  5. fraud
  6. forge
  7. false
  8. strained
Adjective
  • Researchers found that some counterfeit devices even reported legitimate looking Samsung model identifiers.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • San Francisco police said cychlorphine, estimated to be 10 times estimated more powerful than fentanyl, can be found in counterfeit pills designed to look like Xanax, Adderall and Oxycontin.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of counterfeit
Adjective
  • Other footage showed personnel practicing attacks against mock armored vehicles and defensive positions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Lakers star waved his hand in mock disgust toward Hachimura.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of mock
Adjective
  • In episode 4, Noah made up an elaborate ruse involving a fake friend’s wedding in Napa — a means of getting Joanne to wine country for a romantic weekend.
    — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The two fans came with their own props even though fake mustaches were given to fans at the entry gates.
    — Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fake
Noun
  • Matthew Unglesbee, a 36-year-old resident of Quincy in southwestern Illinois, was charged with violations related to false information and hoaxes and mailing threatening communications.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Schools banned its use, and journalists were shamed for credulously repeating its hoaxes.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of hoax
Noun
  • Walter also is a defendant in multiple civil lawsuits filed by investors alleging fraud and breach of contract.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Your phone could become part of a botnet The advertising fraud is only part of the story.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • NewFilmmakers Los Angeles has announced four new board members and forged a strategic partnership in the United Arab Emirates with the Sharjah Intl.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
  • And yes, in 1861, Richard Cadbury came up with the Valentine box of chocolates, thus forging an indissoluble link between candy and the lucrative holiday calendar for all time to come.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of forge
Adjective
  • Experts worry federal law enforcement could potentially use those false claims — or others generated this year — as pretext to try to seize ballots during the counting period, or interfere in the process in some other way.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The false polling data from Wedgewood Polls consistently favored Democrats, particularly progressive candidates.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of false
Adjective
  • However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that Harry's willingness to publicly discuss his strained family relationships only makes the royals more reluctant to extend an olive branch.
    — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Other governments around the world are also feeling pressure because of high debt loads and strained budgets, including the United States.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of strained

Browse Nearby Words

phonography
phony
phony-baloney
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Cite this Entry

“Phony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phony. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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