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 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 The Houston Cougars are currently ranked No. 4 in the country and a bona fide National Championship contender. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 26 Feb. 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
  • Japan is known for great, authentic luxury, and the seller has great reviews on eBay (and TikTok).
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
  • To find one-of-a-kind spots around the globe that offer transformative experiences, tempting travelers to venture farther and embrace the authentic.
    — Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of authentic
Adjective
  • So Far Yet, despite being the ideal role-playing game — one that should (theoretically) be easy enough to replicate — there’s never been a true sequel, spiritual successor, or flat-out copy that can live up to the standard.
    — Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The >>Film Forward Competition Golden Alexander was bestowed to the documentary: Endless Cookie by Seth Scriver & Peter Scriver Reasoning: Golden Alexander Award goes to a film that is a true labor of love.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Olivia Culpo is getting honest about what happened during the first trimester of her pregnancy.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Sellers are still obliged to provide accurate and honest information.
    — Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • That was my first real relationship to the island and that culture.
    — Nicholas Ducassi, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The colonel in our show was inspired by a real person who wasn’t allowed to use force while protecting civilians.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of real
Adjective
  • The Substack offers an unfiltered, genuine take on navigating the marketplace, from the highs of scoring a rare vintage gem to the lows of watching the dream item go out of stock.
    — Gaby Keiderling, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Leaders must cultivate new skills to recognize complexity, evaluate situations accurately, and respond with genuine agility rather than default behaviors.
    — Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter reveals that WWE's original plans involved a feud between McIntyre and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes after WrestleMania.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The Purple One also created the original song score for director Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of original
Adjective
  • That’s when things escalated even further, though not at the actual Twitch event.
    — Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Or put differently, having your identity shaped by a history, culture, and language that is not American makes the question of identity an actual question.
    — Pia Lauritzen, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of actual
Adjective
  • Weeks later, the Army Corps of Engineers had tagged the trees for removal, but certified arborists had inspected them as a second opinion and deemed them healthy.
    — Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Patients above the age of 21, at the behest of a certified practitioner, can avail of a medical cannabis card that would be valid for one year.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of certified

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Cite this Entry

“Bona fide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bona%20fide. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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