Sometimes it’s worth revisiting older NYT Mini Crossword clues and their answers, because you might encounter certain clues again and again. The crossword clue “Phony, fake, bogus,” appeared in the Mini NYT Crossword on February 2, 2024. While this puzzle may not be today’s crossword challenge, learning the answer to this clue can sharpen your instincts for similar clues in the future.
In this article, we offer the answer and explanation for the clue, a full puzzle breakdown with different possible answers, and important insights into “Phony, Fake, Bogus NYT Crossword”.
Phony, Fake, Bogus NYT Crossword: Answer & Explanation
- Clue: Phony, fake, bogus
- Crossword Date: February 2, 2024
- Published in: The Mini NYT Crossword (Online)
- Answer: SHAM
Explanation: The words “phony,” “fake,” and “bogus” all refer to something false or deceptive. A “sham” is something that’s not genuine. Also, if you look for the possible answers to “phony, fake, bogus”, you will find that the four-letter answer “sham” perfectly matches the clue and the NYT crossword of February 2, 2024.
The Mini NYT Crossword – February 2, 2024 Solution
The table below presents the answers and possible explanations for the entire NYT crossword of February 2, 2024.
| Direction | Clue | Answer | Explanation |
| Across | Bottle top | CAPS | The lid or seal of a bottle. |
| Across | C, D, E, F, G, A, B, e.g. | SCALE | A musical sequence of notes. |
| Across | See 1-Down | HUMPS | Continuation of 1-Down clue. |
| Across | “Give it _” (“Hush!”) | AREST | Phrase meaning “be quiet.” |
| Across | Director Brooks | MEL | Refers to filmmaker Mel Brooks. |
| Down | With 6-Across, “peaks” on camel | CAMEL | Animal known for having humps. |
| Down | Major mountain range of Europe | ALPS | A prominent European mountain range. |
| Down | Annoying bug | PEST | Something (or someone) that causes irritation. |
| Down | Phony, fake, bogus | SHAM | Something that’s not genuine. |
| Down | Glass of water, for a hangover | CURE | Something believed to relieve hangover symptoms. |
Some Possible Answers for the Crossword Clue “Phony, Fake, Bogus”
Here are some possible answers for “Phony, fake, bogus” with different lengths-
| Word Length | Answers |
| 4 | SHAM, SLUG, BASE, FAKE, MOCK, MEAN, OLEO |
| 5 | SNIDE, FALSE, PHONY, SCORN, SNEER, SPAMS, WRONG |
| 6 | PHONEY, ERSATZ, FORGED, HOLLOW, PSEUDO, TRICKY, UNREAL |
| 7 | ASSUMED, FEIGNED, MOCKERY, SARCASM, SLANDER, UNSOUND, VICIOUS |
| 8 | BASELESS, QUACKERY, SCORNFUL, SNEERING, SPECIOUS, SPURIOUS |
| 9 | BRUMMAGEM, DECEPTIVE, ERRONEOUS, IMITATION, INCORRECT, etc. |
| 10 | ARTIFICIAL, DEROGATORY, FABRICATED, FALLACIOUS, FRAUDULENT |
| 11 | COUNTERFEIT, INSINUATING |
Common Synonyms for “Bogus” in Crosswords
| Word Length | Synonyms |
| 4 letters | FAKE, SHAM |
| 5 letters | FALSE, FRAUD, LYING, PHONY |
| 6 letters | ERSATZ, FORGED |
| 8 letters | SPURIOUS |
| 9 letters | DECEITFUL, DECEPTIVE, DUPLICATE, IMITATION, PRETENDED, SIMULATED |
| 10 letters | ARTIFICIAL, FICTITIOUS, FRAUDULENT |
| 11 letters | COUNTERFEIT |
Similar Clues like “Phony, Fake, Bogus” and Their Answers
Here are similar clues that a crossword solver frequently encounters-
| Clue Description | Answer |
| Phony; bogus | SHAM |
| Pretender, bogus impersonator (9 letters) | CHARLATAN |
| Phony, fake (5 letters) | ROGUE |
| Fake, bogus (6 letters) | PHONEY |
| Phony’s masquerading as the god of sleep (6) | HYPNOS |
| “_ Pretender” | GREAT |
| Dissimulator | LIAR |
| Dissimulator | HYPOCRITE |
| Dissimulator | PRETENDER |
| Dissimulator | FALSIFIER |
| Jarod _: “The Pretender” | MORSE |
| Model or pretender | POSER |
| Old pretender | SIMULAR |
| “Paper _” (golf clubs for a pretender?) | TIGER WOODS |
Group/Plural Answers:
LIES, TRICKS, ACTS, PRETENDERS, SPOOFS, SUSPECTS, WRONGS, IRREGULARS, CHANGES, COPIES, TWISTS, IMAGINARIES, OPENS, MOCKS, FUNNIES, PERVERTS.
About the Mini NYT Crossword
The name “The Mini NYT Crossword” says it all — it’s a smaller version of the classic crossword puzzle published by The New York Times. This mini version features clever clues that fit into a compact 5×5 grid. The NYT introduced it in 2015 through their news app, offering a quicker and more accessible puzzle experience. Today, thousands of crossword enthusiasts play the Mini Crossword online every day. You can join them by downloading the NYT mobile app or playing directly on the New York Times website.
