Definition of honestynext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun honesty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of honesty are honor, integrity, and probity. While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

When is honor a more appropriate choice than honesty?

While the synonyms honor and honesty are close in meaning, honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

When would integrity be a good substitute for honesty?

The meanings of integrity and honesty largely overlap; however, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

When could probity be used to replace honesty?

While in some cases nearly identical to honesty, probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

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 honesty This is a powerful time for emotional honesty, but also for discernment. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026 There was honesty from within the dressing room, too. George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026 Detective Cedillo would later ask Nixon-Clark in an interview, trying to jolt him into honesty. Emerson Clarridge updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026 Lighton presents it all with unvarnished honesty, allowing the tension and humor to bloom in the clash between Skarsgård’s forthright Scandinavian brusqueness, and Melling’s awkward British charm. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honesty
Noun
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The Canadians are taking it personally that their integrity is coming under attack in front of a global audience at the Olympics, which touts the values of respect and friendship.
    Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Amanda Askell's job is to try to teach Claude a sense of morality, or how to be good.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The philosopher Aristotle wrote tomes on morality and human behavior.
    Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Founder Dee Elms is known for her ability to blend modern and classic elements in distinctive designs that honor and celebrate the storied architecture of each home.
    Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker stared up at the scoreboard and smiled Monday night as a tribute video played in his honor.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Turner manages to put across this supreme shallowness with total sincerity.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
  • No one with sincerity agrees with a group on all things 100% of the time.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Some people thought the character was too much, but Danica managed to make her just that without losing the truthfulness, and the ending wouldn’t have worked without that.
    Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The debate occurred during Socrates’s inquiry into human virtue, recounted in Plato’s Republic.
    Paul Rosenzweig, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Casting all the virtue and vice signaling on the political spectrum aside with his straightforward embrace of America, Bunny then gave viewers a geography lesson by listing the countries that make up the Americas.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • However, don’t let your frankness be a hard no.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off those comments as an example of the president’s frankness.
    Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Tunnels are also not truly watertight, requiring drainage measures like sump pumps and creating maintenance and reliability issues, the group advised.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
  • And right now, California’s energy transition is failing the very people it’s supposed to help — working- and middle-class families — because it is being driven more by mandates and hope than by realism, reliability, and affordability.
    Suzette Valladares, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Honesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honesty. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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