GRE Words for Genuine and Authentic

These 9 GRE words all share the meaning of genuine and authentic. Studying them as one cluster is far more efficient than learning each in isolation, because the GRE tests words by how they relate to each other. Each entry below links to a full definition page with example sentences and memory hooks.

Why this cluster matters

On Sentence Equivalence you must choose two words that give the sentence the same meaning. That means the answer is almost always a synonym pair pulled from a cluster like this one. Watch the connotation tone on each word: a positive and a negative word rarely form a correct pair, even when their definitions look close.

The 9 words

authenticadjectivePositive tone

Of undisputed origin; genuine and not counterfeit

bona fideadjectivePositive tone

Genuine; real; made in good faith without fraud or deceit

candidadjectivePositive tone

Truthful and straightforward; frank

forthrightadjectivePositive tone

Direct and outspoken; straightforward and honest

genuineadjectivePositive tone

Truly what something is said to be; authentic; sincere

guilelessadjectivePositive tone

Innocent and without deception; artless and sincere

legitimateadjectivePositive tone

Conforming to the law or rules; genuine; valid

sincereadjectivePositive tone

Free from pretense or deceit; genuine

veritableadjectivePositive tone

Being truly or very much so; genuine

Keep going

Master every word for Genuine and Authentic

Learn 1,000+ GRE words through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.