Synonyms of genuine

genuine

adjective

ˈjen-yə-wən 

1

as in authentic

being exactly as appears or as claimed

had a genuine van Gogh hanging in their living room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authentic
• real
• honest
• true
• original
• unmistakable
• certified
• actual
• certifiable
• for real
• bona fide
• pure
• historical
• sure-enough
• legitimate
• identifiable
• right
• pukka
• very
• dinkum
• pucka
• echt
• legal
• lawful
• verifiable
• recognizable
• accurate
• unquestionable
• undeniable
• undoubted
• validated
• proven
• indisputable
• incontrovertible
• indubitable
• irrefutable
• incontestable
• substantiated
• verified
• veritable
• correct
• unadulterated
• proper
• unalloyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fake
• false
• counterfeit
• phony
• spurious
• bogus
• unreal
• pseudo
• phoney
• imitation
• mock
• sham
• synthetic
• artificial
• unauthentic
• supposititious
• simulated
• unnatural
• factitious
• suppositious
• manufactured
• fabricated
• misleading
• deceptive
• concocted
• man-made
• delusive
• delusory

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

• unaffected
• honest
• true
• real
• simple
• innocent
• sincere
• naive
• spontaneous
• natural
• guileless
• inexperienced
• naïve
• straightforward
• ingenuous
• unpretentious
• artless
• unpretending
• on the level
• candid
• childlike
• unsophisticated
• direct
• trustful
• unworldly
• impressionable
• open
• trusting
• frank
• unforced
• wide-eyed
• malleable
• unstudied
• plain
• openhearted
• simpleminded
• free
• gee-whiz
• plainspoken
• persuadable
• unguarded
• dewy-eyed
• straight
• susceptible
• gullible
• persuasible
• exploitable
• single-minded
• free-spoken
• unwary
• gullable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• false
• fake
• critical
• artificial
• phony
• assuming
• dishonest
• affected
• insincere
• phoney
• suspicious
• artful
• skeptical
• cynical
• pretentious
• wary
• sophisticated
• worldly
• cosmopolitan
• mistrustful
• polished
• civilized
• cultured
• cultivated
• refined
• subtle
• deceptive
• guileful
• dissembling
• hypocritical
• dissimulating
• smooth
• manipulative
• sharp
• deceitful
• shrewd
• crooked
• cunning
• devious
• worldly-wise
• sly
• slick
• crafty
• wily
• tricky
• slippery
• designing
• shifty
• underhanded
• flattering
• foxy
• feigned
• unctuous
• calculating
• scheming
• arch
• strained
• double-dealing
• forced
• two-faced
• canny
• knavish
• sycophantic
• mealymouthed

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

• real
• actual
• factual
• true
• very
• effective
• concrete
• existent
• literal
• final
• sure-enough
• valid
• proven
• authentic
• absolute
• substantial
• demonstrated
• unmistakable
• validated
• realistic
• convincing
• unquestionable
• de facto
• undeniable
• tangible
• confirmed
• substantiated
• positive
• indisputable
• certain
• verifiable
• believable
• established
• objective
• incontrovertible
• irrefutable
• incontestable
• inescapable
• real-life
• real-world
• authenticated
• bona fide
• authoritative
• indubitable
• attested
• verified
• certified
• palpable
• hard
• certifiable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• potential
• possible
• theoretical
• ideal
• hypothetical
• theoretic
• nonexistent
• alleged
• platonic
• conjectural
• assumed
• supposed
• reputed
• fictitious
• fictional
• legendary
• illusory
• envisioned
• suppositional
• imagined
• fanciful
• romantic
• inexistent
• fabled
• fake
• conceived
• imaginary
• pictured
• chimerical
• envisaged
• chimeric
• visualized
• symbolic
• invented
• make-believe
• unreal
• pretend
• abstract
• fabricated
• virtual
• made-up

Try This Instead

For

Try This

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

Examples of genuine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a struggle with algorithmic machines to capture an audience’s attention, creators are pushed optimize the content to the detriment of genuine authenticity. —Ruby Justice Thelot, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Curbing the commodification of spirituality then becomes about a genuine and true understanding of where the practice comes from and why it’s maintained. —Prinita Thevarajah, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Michael and his family have consistently shown a deep and genuine commitment to our community through their support of our youth, the arts, our neighborhoods and through their own economic development. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024

Partners feel at ease sharing their aspirations, vulnerabilities and innermost thoughts, fostering a genuine sense of intimacy. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024