truthful

adjective

truth·​ful ˈtrüth-fəl How to pronounce truthful (audio)
Synonyms of truthfulnext
: telling or disposed to tell the truth
a truthful witness
truthfully
ˈtrüth-fə-lē How to pronounce truthful (audio)
adverb
truthfulness noun

Synonyms of truthful

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Examples of truthful in a Sentence

We were not entirely truthful with her about where we went last night. I like keeping the house clean but, to be truthful, I hate vacuuming.
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.
Because there was a feeding frenzy, there were a lot of people that were not truthful. — Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 Still, in our age of political cynicism, sports and literature may be the last two places in our culture in which the American myths feel truthful. — Sam Evan Sussman, Vogue, 10 June 2026 And yet, the fight on Juneteenth was perhaps a more truthful reminder of the way things were, and how contingent the promises of American freedom could be. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 But Brooks clearly understands that such stereotyping is best countered with truthful, vulnerable performances, not some concept that fights the material. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for truthful

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truthful was circa 1567

Rhymes for truthful

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Browse Nearby Words

truther
truthful
truth-function
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Cite this Entry

“Truthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truthful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

truthful

adjective
truth·​ful ˈtrüth-fəl How to pronounce truthful (audio)
: telling or being in the habit of telling the truth
truthfully
-fə-lē How to pronounce truthful (audio)
adverb
truthfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on truthful

Nglish: Translation of truthful for Spanish Speakers

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