Definition of "phony" []

• Not genuine or real; counterfeit: a phony credit card. (adjective)
• False; spurious: a phony name. (adjective)
• Not honest or truthful; deceptive: a phony excuse. (adjective)
• Insincere or hypocritical. (adjective)
• Giving a false impression of truth or authenticity; specious. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "One thing is certain; this country has endured many periods of debt and the term phony crisis is warranted."
• "Mr. Picard is seeking to recover what he calls phony investment profits withdrawn from the firm by Mr. Madoff's relatives, money they earned while working there, and funds they spent on credit cards and other purchases."
• "This phony is an embarrassment to all who have honorably served our country."