adverb
- in a phony manner; insincerely or falsely
Usage: informal
Examples
- She smiled phonily at her rival during the awards ceremony.
- The politician phonily promised to lower taxes while knowing it was impossible.
- He phonily expressed concern for the environment while secretly supporting polluting industries.
- The salesman phonily praised the customer’s taste to make a sale.
- She phonily apologized without meaning a word of it.
- The actor phonily portrayed emotions he had never experienced.