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as in false
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value dishonest appraisals of art works that were part of an elaborate scheme to defraud insurance companies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dishonest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dishonest are deceitful, mendacious, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than dishonest?

While the synonyms deceitful and dishonest are close in meaning, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When might mendacious be a better fit than dishonest?

The words mendacious and dishonest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

When could untruthful be used to replace dishonest?

The words untruthful and dishonest can be used in similar contexts, but untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dishonest The funeral home is under investigation for willful dishonest conduct, negligence and fraud, among other charges, according to state documents. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025 However, this Republican labeling of Democrats is false, self-serving, and dishonest. Martin M. Looney, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025 The referee agreed with Warner’s claimed mitigation factors of remorse, an absence of dishonest or selfish motive, cooperating with the proceedings and dealing with personal or emotional problems. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025 Starring Braff as Andy, the film's protagonist, and Natalie Portman as his eccentric and compulsively dishonest love interest, the film is often compared to The Graduate (1967), but remains a singular romantic comedy that demands an emotional reaction from its audience. James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishonest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonest
Adjective
  • Trump has initiated a flurry of defamation lawsuits against media companies, accusing them of false or misleading coverage.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
  • In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Hinton challenged the optimistic visions promoted by Silicon Valley leaders, suggesting that much of the upbeat narrative about AI’s societal benefits is, at best, misleading.
    Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • An investigation revealed the suspect was driving without a license and had affixed a fraudulent registration tab to the rear license plate.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The fraudulent sellers uncovered by CNBC took credentials from a wide range of companies.
    Gabrielle Fonrouge,Paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • More recently, her brother, Jose Napoleon, the director of admissions at Azure College in Fort Lauderdale, was charged this year with a wire-fraud conspiracy involving the sale of false nursing degrees.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • In July and August 2024 anti-migrant riots ripped across the country following the murder of three young girls at a dance class in Stockport, and false rumors an immigrant was responsible.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • It must also be said that, for all the lamenting of the Netherlands’ failure to win, West Germany — and Muller — were robbed of a clear goal in the second half due to an erroneous offside flag.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • On Thursday, an erroneous report of a man with a gun sent two Boulder schools into lockdown.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, a group of states led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton separately sued Google for anticompetitive and deceptive practices in its ad business.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Katie’s denial was once again found to be deceptive.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At Comedy Central, Colbert rose to prominence playing a slightly exaggerated version of Bill O’Reilly and other unapologetically mendacious Fox News pundits from the George W. Bush years.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
  • The true story reveals both how freedom of speech first came to be conceived of as a mechanism for truth, an antidote to falsehood, and the foundation of all liberty—and that, ironically, this new and powerful theory was itself a deliberately mendacious fiction.
    Fara Dabhoiwala, Harpers Magazine, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The family had no money for doctors, and the arm healed crooked, forever limiting his reach and range of motion.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Both are as crooked as snakes in a hurry.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Officers making contact with Hyatt noted an odor of intoxicants, staggering gait, confusion and illogical, untruthful responses to questions, according to the motion.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The deficient vice of integrity is being fake, untruthful, inconsistent, unprincipled, and manipulative.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dishonest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonest. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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