Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective authentic contrast with its synonyms?

The words bona fide and genuine are common synonyms of authentic. While all three words mean "being actually and exactly what is claimed," 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 can bona fide be used instead of authentic?

The words bona fide and authentic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention.

a bona fide offer for the stock

Where would genuine be a reasonable alternative to authentic?

The words genuine and authentic can be used in similar contexts, 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

Examples 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 authentic First, Hollywood needs to do its due diligence and find African creatives to collaborate with in efforts to tell authentic, African stories. Kui Mwai, Essence, 20 Dec. 2024 To create this tension throughout the film, production designer Julian R. Wagner needed to craft sets that felt as grounded, authentic, and (sometimes) claustrophobic as possible. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Dec. 2024 This fusion of optimistic storytelling and authentic detail makes the song a heartfelt ode to the city. Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024 Everyone was performing at a season’s best and also most authentic. Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authentic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authentic
Adjective
  • Modernization should be driven by genuine needs, not trends.
    Siddharth Gawshinde, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally, is impossible without genuine downtime.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Their hope is to eventually make the model as accurate as an X-ray, which would drastically simplify screening efforts, though Raval says this will require much more data.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Her polling has been among the most accurate over time; a FiveThirtyEight analysis of historical polling data ranked it as 2.8 out of 3 stars.
    Elahe Izadi, arkansasonline.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The actress, who plays an attorney and de facto detective, allows an honest revelation.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Below, take a look at our editors’ honest reviews of their favorite Jones Road beauty products.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • While the Consulate General of the Netherlands’ dismissed our concerns, the City of New York has taken strides towards true partnership.
    Joe Baker, New York Daily News, 28 Dec. 2024
  • This topic of research started with a group of Japanese scientists trying to determine the true benefits of forest bathing—shinrin-yoku.
    Kathy Willis, WIRED, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This special need has been Ralph’s only real barrier to finding a forever home as a single pet.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 23 Dec. 2024
  • No, the real jolt came from realizing the true breadth of Jacinto’s range.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Episodes routinely attract millions of viewers and listeners across platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, however, the exact earnings remain undisclosed.
    Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
  • An exact closing date wasn’t announced, but it’s expected to shutter in February.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The first-stage booster that had been tapped during the original attempts was discarded for a new booster.
    Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Its original musical compositions have been created by 17 female Chilean musicians in collaboration with award-winning composer Matthew Herbert.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near authentic

Cite this Entry

“Authentic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authentic. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on authentic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!