authentic

adjective

ə-ˈthen-tik How to pronounce authentic (audio)
Definition of authenticnext
1
as in genuine
being exactly as appears or as claimed found an authentic Native American arrowhead

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accurate
following an original exactly an authentic reconstruction of the Parthenon as it is believed to have looked when first built

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 authentic Pike’s biological family has provided insight into her childhood that would also raise questions about authentic surrogacy. — M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026 The power of country music is being genuine and authentic, and that’s how Lainey walks into a room. — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026 White House officials were told that the text messages between Guilfoyle and Deters were authentic, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News last week. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Founded by Victor and Stacey Garcia, Sol Dias serves authentic Mexican treats like ice cream, ice pops, sorbets and churros. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authentic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authentic
  1. genuine
  2. accurate
  3. real
  4. true
  5. honest
  6. exact
  7. original
Adjective
  • As such, the greatest obstacle to genuine transformation is getting stuck in the planning cycle.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Notably, the new action comes about a month after UMG had sued DistroKid in September, claiming the company has helped empower bad actors to upload AI slop songs at mass scale, diluting the royalty pool for genuine artists.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • State officials said the isolated instances of noncitizens voting, if accurate, are not evidence of widespread voter fraud.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To make good decisions, consumers need to rely on accurate information, but much of the hype around peptides is misleading.
    — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • While these tracks are endearing enough, Way Dynamic’s real magic sits at the juncture of folk and forlornness, when Young’s guitar is allowed to ramble and his regrets are sharp enough to bruise.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • These reactive oxygen species, or ROS, can do real damage to mitochondria, cells and organs.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of real
Adjective
  • An invite-only Rocket Variant replaces standard features with a single-seat configuration and perimeter thrusters for true flight, rendering it non-road-legal.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The counter-argument that these groups already get the same knowledge from Iran, which gets it from China, Russia, and North Korea, is largely true.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Jones turned in a yeoman's effort, going 22-35 for 155 passing yards and two touchdowns while also keeping the Longhorn defense honest with his legs.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In McDonnell, his supporters say, the mayor has an honest and principled leader who has managed to steady a department beset by low morale, dwindling staffing levels and aging facilities.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Even better, Molly is the exact right amount of Instagram accessible while still being kept at a classy remove.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The notices will include specific information about their 2027 benefits, including exact payment dates and dollar amounts as well as any deductions.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of exact
Adjective
  • Dyrholm’s casting in Incidents of Intimacy marks a homecoming for the Danish actress who was part of the ensemble cast in Thomas Vinterberg’s Cannes Jury Prize winner The Celebration, the first film to be made under the original manifesto.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company didn’t launch a website until almost a year after the original retail.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of original

Browse Nearby Words

auteurs
authentic
authentically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authentic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authentic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All