bona fide

adjective

ˈbō-nə-ˌfīd How to pronounce bona fide (audio)
Definition of bona fidenext
as in authentic
being exactly as appears or as claimed a bona fide war hero

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 By the time The Blues Brothers was released in 1980, Belushi was a bona fide star. — Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025 Later that year, the first season of the legitimately great Jessica Jones delivered a bona fide serial-killer thriller that explored how the genre would play out if both cat and mouse had superhuman abilities. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025 Create a bona fide debt between the shareholder and the corporation. — Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Black is all grown up now and is a bona fide pop artist in her own right –– with her new project Salvation and her take on the DJ table, spinning at some of the nation's hottest parties. — Mike Snedegar, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bona fide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bona fide
  1. authentic
  2. true
  3. honest
  4. real
  5. genuine
  6. original
  7. actual
  8. certified
Adjective
  • My only rule is that surprises need to be authentic and challenge our characters.
    — Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The chemistry between the cast is expected to feel effortlessly authentic, as Kardashian and Anthony share a long-standing real-life friendship.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of authentic
Adjective
  • Given his body type and potential, maybe the same could be true for Williams.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That may be true, but the IEA reports that sales actually continued to grow in the U.S. at greater than a 10% clip.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of true
Adjective
  • The current lawsuits still need to play out in the courts, but the cases have brought attention to the need for TV brands to be honest about the capabilities of their QD TVs.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Viola Davis shared an honest admission about a past interaction with the late Chadwick Boseman.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Following Hailey’s response to the content creator, fans praised the Rhode founder for giving real, relatable feedback.
    — Dayna Haffenden, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Consistency is key: Heintzman recommends dry brushing at least once a week to get real results.
    — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of real
Adjective
  • Without further context, the statement feels hollow — lacking both accountability and a genuine acknowledgment of the culture that made the boot iconic.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Is this the genuine cargo or some wiry wisp of a Ringo impersonator?
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • Wherever the original source of the incorrect headline came from, it was amplified by trusted sources in financial news, creating a very expensive lesson in the value of accurate and reliable reporting.
    — Hadas Gold and Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • That connection between an original idea and something familiar was the pivotal moment that got the film approved.
    — Tendayi Viki, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of original
Adjective
  • They were also slowed by international shipping delays and COVID precautions, leading to missing the actual 35th-anniversary deadline.
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
  • After nine intense episodes of watching the Maguire doctors battle leadership shakeups, life-or-death emergencies and an actual hurricane, the finale is just as explosive.
    — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of actual
Adjective
  • Jason Ballard is a certified business and executive coach located in Louisville, Kentucky.
    — Jason Ballard, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Velazco was granted an injunction in Lake Superior Court in January 2021 that stopped the court from shutting down until the matter could be heard and a certified public accountant completed a full audit of the court’s cash bond account.
    — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of certified

Browse Nearby Words

bombshells
bona fide
bonanza
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Cite this Entry

“Bona fide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bona%20fide. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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