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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spurious
Donald Trump, who practically built his entire 2024 presidential campaign on the spurious grievance that Joe Biden has weaponized the Justice Department against him and his allies, is weaponizing his own Justice Department against his enemies and in service of his friends.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
In May 2024, Cairo joined South Africa in its spurious legal case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of war crimes—without any evidence.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The arguments on the pro-bulk-billing side were spurious or overblown, and the MTE [multiple tenant environments] access rules have broad, bipartisan support, as well as a lot of industry support.
—Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025
They stiff-arm congressional subpoenas or demands for information with spurious claims of state secrets, executive privilege or unwritten tradition.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
In May 2024, Cairo joined South Africa in its spurious legal case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of war crimes—without any evidence.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The arguments on the pro-bulk-billing side were spurious or overblown, and the MTE [multiple tenant environments] access rules have broad, bipartisan support, as well as a lot of industry support.
—Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025
They stiff-arm congressional subpoenas or demands for information with spurious claims of state secrets, executive privilege or unwritten tradition.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurious
Adjective
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From data breaches and counterfeit products to the rapid spread of misinformation, brand image threats are constantly multiplying and evolving.—
Shay Solomon,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
An Arizona man’s arrest after allegedly passing a counterfeit $100 bill at a Chesterton pizza parlor has prompted further investigation about a potential connection to other similar incidents in Porter County.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In June of 2023, police approached her residence after receiving a false tip about child abuse.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
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Looking down into the pit is not a powerful moment — looking up at this teenager that is desperate to get out of the wilderness and kill this false prophet in Lottie is powerful.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Speaking to reporters during a visit to a Russian nuclear submarine in Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle, Putin reiterated his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's mandate is illegitimate.—
Astha Rajvanshi,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2025
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This youngster was the illegitimate daughter of a deaf-mute.—
Ken Fuchsman,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These platforms sell complete phishing kits—web hosting, SMS delivery systems, fake landing pages, encryption tools—to other cybercriminals who want to run scams at scale.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Nancy Marks, Santos’ former campaign treasurer, admitted to filing bogus campaign finance reports filled with fake donors and a fake $500,000 personal loan from Santos.—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
5 Apr. 2025
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The body can also adapt to constant stress by staying in a heightened state of alertness, making peace feel unnatural.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 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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Afterward, a mock court-martial was held, complete with the sentencing and execution of a private accused of desertion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Apr. 2025
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In mock drafts, Hampton is often mocked to the early twenties or even late twenties to a team like the Washington Commanders.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While petty revenge can be amusing—and satisfying in the moment—Best suggested a different approach to dealing with strained neighbor relationships.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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Throughout the series, the strained relationship between father and son highlights the repercussions of family communication breakdowns.—
Laurel Donnellan,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurious. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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