as in authentic
being exactly as appears or as claimed
a bona fide war hero
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Recent Examples of bona fide
Dominik Mysterio is continuing his ascension as a bona fide superstar in WWE, due to his heelish persona, heat-generating promos, and impressive in-ring work.
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Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Since the initial reception, both good and bad, the movie has become a bona fide classic, being spoofed, revisited and referenced in different forms of media over the last three decades, with Macaulay himself most recently revisiting the character for an ad campaign with Home Instead.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 16 Nov. 2025
For well over a decade dance music has helped to define the musical mainstream, and artists nominated in the dance/electronic categories this year – including Disclosure, Fred Again.., Skrillex and FKA twigs – are bona fide stars who deserve more visible recognition.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
In October, Florida utilized multiple lineups that included four true freshmen, with Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson becoming bona fide SEC stars in their first weeks of action.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bona fide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bona fide
Adjective
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From the upscale shopping paradise of Bal Harbor to the authentic cultures of Little Havana and Little Haiti, and the contemporary art scene of the Design District, the destination offers a variety of experiences.—
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The video quickly went viral, reaching over 2 million views with many viewers assuming the image was authentic.—
Adjective
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Nothing wrong with a little fantasy, but this year’s astrology asks us to stop romanticizing potential and start paying attention to what feels genuine, reciprocal and enduring.—
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The tears in Yang’s eyes appeared genuine.—
Adjective
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The defense bent a lot and didn’t break often but didn’t have any real signature plays.—
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While some calas are accessible by car, others can only be reached by a short hike—that’s where visitors will find the real magic and privacy.—
Adjective
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This is especially true for plants that are marginally hardy in your area, as well as common perennials like woodland phlox, lamb’s ear, and hardy geraniums.—
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Fellow true freshman Joshua Moore should be in line for a bigger role next season as well.—
Adjective
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Yet, to be honest, our dance card is already mighty full with a whole array of different kinds of gigs – from big pop shows to classic rock concerts and a number of different small club shows.—
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Shared finances, emotional investments or trust issues become crystal clear, prompting honest conversations and practical decision-making.—
Adjective
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This translation by Nancy Naomi Carlson preserves the rich musicality of the original French, as well as its frequent use of wordplay and often unusual word choice.—
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Jim Carrey inducted Soundgarden, bringing out the late Chris Cornell’s eldest daughter, Lily Cornell Silver, to speak about her father and introduce a performance by his former Soundgarden bandmates, including original member Hiro Yamamoto, with Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlisle singing vocals.—
Adjective
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Carote 16-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set The right nonstick cookware can be an actual kitchen game changer—and Carote’s 16-piece set delivers on that promise.—
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Everything was really incorrect for the period—shiny, sparkly, overdone—but the actual shapes and silhouettes of his clothes are quite accurate.—
Adjective
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Travelers who want to witness the eclipse in the only certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the path of totality can head to Tāhuna Glenorchy on New Zealand’s South Island.—
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Reputable dealers invest in verification equipment and maintain relationships with certified refiners and mints.—
Cite this Entry
“Bona fide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bona%20fide. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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