genuine

adjective

ˈjen-yə-wən How to pronounce genuine (audio)
Definition of genuinenext
Enter your own sentence containing genuine , and get words to replace it.
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1
as in authentic
being exactly as appears or as claimed had a genuine van Gogh hanging in their living room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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

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a genuine smile
a sincere smile
an authentic smile
a natural smile
a heartfelt smile
a kindhearted smile
a genuine effort
an earnest effort
a wholesome effort
an honest effort
a real effort
a legitimate effort
a genuine interest
a legitimate interest
a serious interest
a deep interest
a true interest
a sincere interest

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 Plus, showing genuine interest in their connections reinforces your own relationship with them. — Cathleen Swody, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025 Hierarchies of authority As shown in Figure 1, in hierarchies of authority, there is only one genuine leader. — Steve Denning, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Sometimes, outside teams simply have to make an overwhelming offer to even get into a genuine conversation, and that's quite likely to be the situation in Memphis. — Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 There's genuine suspense over who will win major categories like Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Actor, meaning that even the people who have paid attention to every twist and turn of awards season don't know what's going to happen. — Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for genuine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genuine
  1. authentic
  2. unaffected
  3. real
  4. honest
  5. true
  6. actual
  7. simple
  8. factual
Adjective
  • Here’s one that’s also extremely interesting to me based on some of our brightest experts predicting the kinds of human-computer interactions that look and seem authentic to the human user.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • My only rule is that surprises need to be authentic and challenge our characters.
    — Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of authentic
Adjective
  • There's also the chance that costs rise for items unaffected by tariffs.
    — Emily Peck, Axios, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Waiting and seeing Some businesses are still in wait-and-see mode, pushing ahead with hiring plans because many of their customers appear unaffected by the charges.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of unaffected
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
  • And there’s already a beautiful precedent in this show, which was a real gift to us, of these counterparts of each of these characters being able to be with each other in a dream space or in a sort of liminal space.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of real
Adjective
  • This accountability between sustainability initiatives and resilience among uncertainty is sparking more honest conversations, leading to more realistic goal setting and, ultimately, more meaningful progress.
    — Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The album is raw, honest, and deeply personal—a sonic letter to women and their stories, both told and untold.
    — Nour Ezzedine, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Arguing that the Smithsonian somehow misleads people, somehow is unpatriotic, somehow is saying things that are not true.
    — Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That versatility is, in a lot of ways, the true beauty of unicorns.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of true
Adjective
  • While there are no actual doors dividing living spaces in this condo, the arched doorways are covered by thick privacy curtains to cordon each space off from one another.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2025
  • But third secured a place in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League), as only the actual champions went into the Champions League then.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of actual
Adjective
  • That simplicity feels so apt for this show, There's enough here: The production is simple and sweet, while Jonas and Warren exude a certain magnetism.
    — Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Mistyping social security numbers is one of the simplest, yet most significant mistakes people make on their returns, according to TurboTax CPA and tax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Felonious Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes has launched another appeal of her conviction and sentence, claiming that a three-judge panel that shot down her first appeal in February was confused on one point, illogical on another, and made factual mistakes in hearing her case.
    — Mercury News, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
  • By coordinating the release of factual messaging to friendly media institutions across both digital and traditional communication channels, messaging can reach stakeholders quickly and clearly.
    — Jeffrey Bartel, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of factual

Browse Nearby Words

genuflecting
genuine
genuinely
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Cite this Entry

“Genuine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genuine. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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