Synonyms for

Phony

Verb / ˈfəʊni: / Another word for phony — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

not genuine; fake

Synonyms & similar words

dissembler hypocrite phoney pretender bastard dissimulator bogus fake fake false fraudulent counterfeit spurious bogus mock imitation sham pretend artificial feigned insincere deceitful disingenuous dishonest duplicitous hypocritical two-faced

Synonyms by register

Formal

spurious bogus counterfeit sham

Informal

fake faker fraud humbug quack

Literary

apocryphal mendacious fallacious

Antonyms

genuine authentic real legitimate sincere actual true

Common collocations

  • phony baloney
  • phony war
  • phony smile
  • phony accent
  • phony excuse
  • phony name
  • phony politician

Word family

noun phoniness
adjective phony

Usage note

Primarily used as an adjective to describe something or someone that is not genuine or sincere. Can also be used as a noun, especially in informal contexts, to refer to a person who is phony.

Example sentences

  1. He tried to pass off a phony ID to buy cigarettes.
  2. The magician's assistant revealed the phony magic trick.
  3. The company's phony advertising claims were exposed by a customer.
  4. She wore a phony smile to hide her true feelings.
  5. The actor's accent was so phony that it distracted from the performance.

Quotes

  • "Don't be fooled by phony friends."
  • "The phony facade of the building hid its true nature."
  • "The phony salesman tried to sell me a broken product."

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