phony-baloney
Completely made up
Phony-baloney is a playful intensification of phony, emphasizing that something is fake, insincere, or nonsensical: I'm tired of all this phony-baloney about budget cuts.
The rhyming reduplication adds a dismissive, slightly contemptuous tone.
Sometimes used as an adjective: a phony-baloney excuse.
Also spelled phony baloney.
Not the real thing
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
- bogusCounterfeit or fraudulent
- shamFraudulent imitation
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
insincere · dishonest · deceitful · duplicitous · two-faced · hypocritical · pretend · artificial
Meaningless words or actions
- hogwashFoolish or untrue talk
- malarkeyInsincere foolish talk
- rubbishWaste or nonsense
- bunkNonsense or stacked bed
hooey · poppycock · drivel · codswallop · claptrap · balderdash · twaddle · tommyrot
Frivolous or absurd
- goofyAmusingly foolish or absurd
- cornyTiresomely sentimental or trite
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
- jokeyHumorous in tone
tongue-in-cheek · whimsical · lighthearted · humorous · cartoonish · zany · wacky · kitschy
fake
Not the real thing
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
- bogusCounterfeit or fraudulent
- shamFraudulent imitation
counterfeit · insincere · dishonest · deceitful · duplicitous · two-faced · hypocritical · pretend · artificial · contrived
nonsense
Meaningless words or actions
bunk · hooey · poppycock · drivel · codswallop · claptrap · balderdash · twaddle · tommyrot · bosh
silly
Frivolous or absurd
- goofyAmusingly foolish or absurd
- cornyTiresomely sentimental or trite
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
jokey · tongue-in-cheek · whimsical · lighthearted · humorous · cartoonish · zany · wacky · kitschy · hammy
phony-baloneygenuine
Truly what it claims
authentic · real · sincere · bona fide · legitimate
phony-baloneystraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
candid · frank · forthright · direct · honest
phony-baloneylegitimate
Conforming to accepted standards
credible · valid · sound · well-founded · solid