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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
Adjective
  • Throw in two kids and a wife to care for, there’s undeniably a lot going on, but in a way that Kota says keeps him focused and motivated on creating authentic music and an authentic life.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This purity translates to a cleaner taste and a more authentic representation of the strain’s flavor profile.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Signal operations are otherwise unaffected, and motorists are reminded to always exercise caution around pedestrians.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Upon hearing the noise, everyone falls to the ground unconscious, except for Cameron, who is unaffected.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Back here in the real world, other Under 30 honorees are harnessing AI to tackle important problems.
    Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • That for real was like holding the mirror up to myself.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Read More | Local’s theory about ancient standing stone in UK forest turns out to be true.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Given his body type and potential, maybe the same could be true for Williams.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In simplest terms, the rate at which the universe expands on paper doesn’t match actual astronomical observations.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.
    Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Will people be more open and accept that a simple, inexpensive date isn’t the sign of low effort but rather a reflection of the economy none of us asked for?
    Myisha Battle, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Its second life on streaming has guided new viewers to the simple charms of one of the best mystery shows of all time.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
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
  • Read the full story by Hugh Cameron on Newsweek. fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Genuine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genuine. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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