1
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud
a spurious Picasso painting that wouldn't have fooled an art expert for a second
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in false
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
claimed that the governor's election-year enthusiasm for conservation was spurious, since he had cut funding for state parks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in illegitimate
born to a father and mother who are not married
the spurious son of Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth would later mount a rebellion in a disastrous attempt to claim the throne
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spurious
Though the book largely revolves around spurious media coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza, El Akkad’s great talent is in showing how, over the past few decades, corporate journalism and western powers have undermined our ability to confront global atrocities.
—
Vulture Editors, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
The spurious operation unraveled in a more ignominious way than Costanza’s.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Trump files spurious lawsuits to force his targets to defend themselves financially and legally and intimidate others from crossing him — or to surrender and settle, as ABC News did.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025
On Sunday night, Americans were treated to a variety of spurious allegations promulgated by several former State Department employees who have made a vocation of insisting that no one will listen to them.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Vulture Editors, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
The spurious operation unraveled in a more ignominious way than Costanza’s.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Trump files spurious lawsuits to force his targets to defend themselves financially and legally and intimidate others from crossing him — or to surrender and settle, as ABC News did.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025
On Sunday night, Americans were treated to a variety of spurious allegations promulgated by several former State Department employees who have made a vocation of insisting that no one will listen to them.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
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In Asia, a shadow trade war has long been fought in China over intellectual property—mainly counterfeit goods like putting a Blackhawks logo on an unauthorized cap.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Image Beware of counterfeit eclipse glasses and solar viewers.—
Katrina Miller,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But the jitters still shook him, a false-start whistle blowing on his first 40-yard attempt at February’s NFL combine.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
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Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In January 2024, the work was sold to Geffen, seemingly on Sun’s behalf — Sun now says the sale was illegitimate.—
Rachel Corbett,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
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They get snared into helping their private investigator friend Moby (Hung) track down kidnappers intent on capturing a young woman named Sylvia (Lola Forner), who turns out to be the illegitimate daughter of a Spanish count.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Expect more fake eggs made of colored marshmallows or even potatoes on this year’s Easter spread With egg prices stubbornly high, the internet has offered up a host of alternatives, with crafters painting rocks and influencers dyeing everything from marshmallows to potatoes.—
William Lambers,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
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This dog sofa features furniture-quality construction, with fake leather upholstery, memory foam internal padding and legs to hold it off the floor.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In an alternative '90s, dark waters from the underground scientific facility have risen to flood the town and deliver a menagerie of natural and unnatural nightmares.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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In this type of thinking, the desire to be alone is seen as unnatural and unhealthy, something to be pitied or feared rather than valued or encouraged.—
Virginia Thomas,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The outlet stated that prosecutor Cray explained how the suspect had used a forged license to purchase a gun and 100 cartridges for around $843 (£650) from a private seller.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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She was charged with misdemeanor identity theft and criminal possession of a forged instrument, later pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count.—
Katie Langford,
The Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Without further ado, here is the sixth iteration of mock drafts, with this being the mock draft just before the final one, which will be put out on the day of the draft.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
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Most recent mock drafts are also split between an offensive lineman or cornerback Will Johnson from Michigan.—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Forbes reported that the relationship between Natalia and the Mans family became strained in 2023, the same year the couple officially adopted her.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Overtourism is a serious concern, particularly for smaller ports, where large crowds can have a significant impact, leading to strained infrastructure and affecting local quality of life.—
Jessica Benavides Canepa,
AFAR Media,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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