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
Her acting is richly focused — always working towards obstacle, objective, and reacting honestly to what she is given.
—
Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Who honestly should have been nominated twice.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
And, honestly, who couldn’t manage a virtual All-Star team of Americans for two weeks?
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Sorry, boys, but there is only enough room for one gay Tyler on Bravo, on this show, and, honestly, in all of the universe.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honestly
Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Who honestly should have been nominated twice.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
And, honestly, who couldn’t manage a virtual All-Star team of Americans for two weeks?
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Sorry, boys, but there is only enough room for one gay Tyler on Bravo, on this show, and, honestly, in all of the universe.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honestly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honestly
Adverb
-
The construction of new dirty fuel infrastructure is expensive and, frankly, stupid.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The contrast is exquisite—and frankly par for the course.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
However, additional atmospheric characterization studies will be needed to determine whether such an atmosphere is actually present.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Consider what success actually looks like in your daily life, and notice which efforts deserve your attention.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Some runways really have that brain chemistry-altering power, and the spectacle that Marc Jacobs created for the Louis Vuitton fall 2012 show is one such example.—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Everybody's worried about dresses and tuxes right now, but things will really get good when the Academy Awards show starts.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
That’s the next big step for San Diego State’s men’s basketball team and its boosters if Saturday’s 73-62 loss indeed denies the Aztecs a sixth consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Less than two months later, the DNA tests came back — Jane Doe was indeed Sheila Ramsey.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honestly. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
