as in frankly
to tell the truth
honestly, I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 honestly
Between the wear-everywhere look of jeans and the cloudlike comfort of sweats, these pants are the ultimate warm-weather travel companion—and honestly, a year-round staple.
—
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2025
The hardest part, honestly, was coming home from the hospital, and Ocean was at the front door waiting for me, not having any idea of what happened.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 17 July 2025
And, honestly, Sunny Hostin thought that some of Gillis’ jokes were actually kind of funny.
—Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 17 July 2025
And honestly, Evans’ hot takes rarely rise above room temperature.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honestly
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2025
The hardest part, honestly, was coming home from the hospital, and Ocean was at the front door waiting for me, not having any idea of what happened.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 17 July 2025
And, honestly, Sunny Hostin thought that some of Gillis’ jokes were actually kind of funny.
—Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 17 July 2025
And honestly, Evans’ hot takes rarely rise above room temperature.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honestly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honestly
Adverb
-
Those moments are deeply emotional and, quite frankly, beautiful enough in their simplicity to bring a tear to the eye.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
-
Daniels’s trainer, John Conway, has implied that his fighter plans to make the fight an ugly brawl against Shields, which frankly, might be her best bet to win.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adverb
-
The banana plant is actually the world’s largest herb.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
-
When Webb takes a picture of a distant galaxy, astronomers like me are actually seeing what that galaxy looked like billions of years ago.—
Adi Foord,
Space.com,
26 July 2025
Adverb
-
Each suite has its own floor, but the public spaces are where the hotel really shines.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
She’s really elevated the issue to a national level.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adverb
-
It must be acknowledged that this issue is indeed tricky.—
,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
-
And then you were born in a place, unlike so many places today (and indeed all countries even a century or two ago), where medicine and care enabled you to live into adulthood.—
Simon Boas
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Honestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honestly. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share