What Is Another Way to Say “Not Genuine”?

Looking for synonyms for not genuine? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say not genuine.

  • Fake
  • Counterfeit
  • Fraudulent
  • Phony
  • Bogus
  • Imitation
  • Artificial
  • Spurious
  • Faux
  • Sham
  • Inauthentic
  • Pseudo
  • Forged
  • Feigned
  • Insincere
  • Pretend
  • Unauthentic
  • Deceptive
  • Fabricated
  • Apocryphal

Want to learn how to say not genuine professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Fake

Used for items or behaviors that are deliberately made to deceive, imitating something real.
Example: “The report contained fake data, compromising the study’s integrity.”

2. Counterfeit

Refers to items or documents that are illegally imitated, typically for deceitful purposes.
Example: “The office was found using counterfeit software licenses.”

3. Fraudulent

Describes actions, documents, or behaviors that are deceitful or dishonest.
Example: “The fraudulent financial reporting led to a major scandal in the company.”

4. Phony

Used colloquially to describe something or someone that is not genuine or trustworthy.
Example: “The phony excuse for missing the deadline was not well-received.”

5. Bogus

Indicates something that is false or has no basis in reality, often used informally.
Example: “The claims made in the bogus advertisement misled customers.”

6. Imitation

Refers to something that is made to look like something else, often inferior in quality.
Example: “The company was accused of producing imitation products, violating intellectual property rights.”

7. Artificial

Describes something made by human skill or effort rather than occurring naturally.
Example: “The use of artificial intelligence in the system was questioned for its authenticity.”

8. Spurious

Used for information, reasoning, or arguments that are not genuine or valid.
Example: “The spurious correlations in the report led to incorrect conclusions.”

9. Faux

A term often used in fashion or design, indicating something that is an imitation or ersatz.
Example: “The office was decorated with faux marble, significantly reducing costs.”

10. Sham

Refers to something that is a pretense or a false, deceptive scheme.
Example: “The sham investigation was criticized for its lack of depth and rigor.”

11. Inauthentic

Describes something not genuine, lacking authenticity or originality.
Example: “The inauthentic communication style of the leader caused distrust among employees.”

12. Pseudo

Indicates something that is falsely or superficially resembling something else.
Example: “The pseudo-scientific claims made by the company were eventually debunked.”

13. Forged

Refers to documents or items that have been copied or imitated fraudulently.
Example: “The forged signatures on the contract led to a legal dispute.”

14. Feigned

Describes something simulated or pretended, often to deceive.
Example: “His feigned ignorance of the policy breach was not convincing.”

15. Insincere

Used for expressions, statements, or behaviors that are not expressed genuinely.
Example: “The manager’s insincere apologies did little to resolve the conflict.”

16. Pretend

Indicates an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true.
Example: “He gave a pretend explanation for the missing funds, which was later exposed as a lie.”

17. Unauthentic

Refers to something that lacks authenticity or originality.
Example: “The unauthentic leadership approach was ineffective in inspiring the team.”

18. Deceptive

Describes actions, statements, or appearances that are likely to deceive.
Example: “The deceptive marketing practices misled the consumers about the product’s capabilities.”

19. Fabricated

Used for something that is invented or concocted to deceive.
Example: “The fabricated statistics in the presentation were later identified and corrected.”

20. Apocryphal

Refers to stories or statements of doubtful authenticity, despite being widely circulated.
Example: “The apocryphal tales of the company’s early success were a part of its lore.”

Linda Brown