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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 spurious
Koren testified, on the basis of these spurious tests, that a toddler must have been ingesting substantial quantities of cocaine for about fourteen months.
—
Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The spurious designation of Qassem Soleimani as a global terrorist, something long requested by Benjamin Netanyahu, gave the green light for the expansion of the designation to other entities long held off from the moniker out of fear of its implications.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Many politicians and government employees learned from The Times that they had been targeted with spurious filings.
—Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, agents will be talking up their clients and spurious links made with all manner of players.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The spurious designation of Qassem Soleimani as a global terrorist, something long requested by Benjamin Netanyahu, gave the green light for the expansion of the designation to other entities long held off from the moniker out of fear of its implications.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Many politicians and government employees learned from The Times that they had been targeted with spurious filings.
—Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, agents will be talking up their clients and spurious links made with all manner of players.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
-
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said that its agents seized counterfeit merchandise from Pittsburgh's Strip District ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
According to police, her alleged crimes met the criteria for grand theft under state law, which includes offenses involving more than $750 and the uttering of a counterfeit financial instrument.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But that confidence could harbor false hope, says Kelly Richardson, principal of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for offering community association advice, and a monthly contributing writer to the Southern California News Group.—
Amancai Biraben,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The indictment also charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Motta had been completely unaware that the accidents Garrison and Alfortish had brought her were illegitimate, Toomey insisted.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The only one that can be called truly illegitimate by global and historical standards is the claim to the whole of the South China Sea.—
Anatol Lieven,
Twin Cities,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Between theater games, fake-blood logistics and a Grim Reaper costume, the teens begin to deal with their secrets and the truth of one fateful night.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Police believe most of the ransom notes received were fake.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Analysts published mock drafts with the Panthers taking Jordyn Tyson and Omar Cooper Jr.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The segment was the comedian's mock alternative speech to the White House Correspondents' dinner, which aired two days before the real event the Trumps attended together ended in gunfire.—
Mandalit del Barco,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Most of that is thanks to the forged aluminum frame and the magnesium casing for the battery pack, which also helps keep things cool inside.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Apr. 2026
-
One is from a commercial landlord who alleges that Given provided them with a forged letter of credit for the school's expansion into the Foodie Market in the South End.—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When choosing soaps to deter deer, gardeners often have success with deodorant soaps that have an unnatural and strong scent, such as Irish Spring, Ivory, Coast, and Dial.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Both look awkward and unnatural.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Chinese officials framed the panda transfer as part of a broader effort to strengthen scientific cooperation and cultural ties between the countries, even as relations remain strained.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Negron said the organizers looked carefully at the strained relations between the two countries and recent violence reports earlier this year in Puerto Vallarta, which is further south of the race’s finish line.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
