good faith

noun

Synonyms of good faithnext
: honesty or lawfulness of purpose

Examples of good faith in a Sentence

You have no right to question my good faith.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Peterson said there was no evidence of malice by Dance and that good faith is presumed for public officers. —Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026 Breaking trust The key components of any negotiations are trust and good faith. —Debak Das, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026 Trump said during a Cabinet meeting Thursday that Iran is allowing some oil tankers through as a sign of good faith for talks. —Jon Gambrell and David Rising The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026 Trump said during a Cabinet meeting Thursday that Iran is allowing some oil tankers through as a sign of good faith for talks. —Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for good faith

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of good faith was in the 14th century

Rhymes for good faith

See All Rhymes for good faith

Browse Nearby Words

good eye
good faith
good father
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Good faith.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/good%20faith. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Kids Definition

good faith

noun
: honesty or lawfulness of purpose
bargained in good faith

Legal Definition

good faith

noun
: honesty, fairness, and lawfulness of purpose : absence of any intent to defraud, act maliciously, or take unfair advantage
filed the suit in good faith
negotiating in good faith
see also good faith exception, good faith purchaser compare bad faith

Note: The meaning of good faith, though always based on honesty, may vary depending on the specific context in which it is used. A person is said to buy in good faith when he or she holds an honest belief in his or her right or title to the property and has no knowledge or reason to know of any defect in the title. In section 1-201 of the Uniform Commercial Code good faith is defined generally as “honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing.” Where recent U.C.C. amendments have not been adopted, this definition is found in Article 3 on negotiable instruments (and applies to Article 4 on bank deposits and collections and Article 4A on funds transfers), while Article 2 on sales defines it as “honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of dealing in the trade.” Article 5 (letters of credit), as amended, defines it as “honesty in fact in the conduct or transaction concerned.” The U.C.C. imposes an obligation of good faith on the performance of every contract or duty under its purview. The law also generally requires good faith of fiduciaries and agents acting on behalf of their principals. There is also a requirement under the National Labor Relations Act that employers and unions bargain in good faith.

Etymology

translation of Latin bona fides

More from Merriam-Webster on good faith

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for good faith

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about good faith

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