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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honorable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honorable are conscientious, honest, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of honorable?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

In what contexts can honest take the place of honorable?

Although the words honest and honorable have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could just be used to replace honorable?

The synonyms just and honorable are sometimes interchangeable, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When would upright be a good substitute for honorable?

While the synonyms upright and honorable are close in meaning, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 honorable The comparison with Lexus is honorable but not accurate. Josh Max, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 We were honored because our parents were honorable. Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 May 2025 Instead, most of Bernadette’s assumptions — that working the border is an honorable act, or that a federal position will imbue her with more authority, or that all Native people will have the same opinions and the same goals — are upended over the course of the season. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025 Take the cake out of the equation and address his actions, which, on that day, were less than honorable. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honorable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable
Adjective
  • How can leaders conduct honest conversations without inspiring defensiveness, denial, or backlash?
    Lauren Howe, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • One of those fans, apparently, is singer Ciara, who recently urged the Harlem artist to make Lampkin an honest women after running into the rapper in the BET Awards press room this weekend.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Leaders question assumptions, weigh options, and make thoughtful, ethical decisions.
    William Arruda, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • The Australian fashion label endeavors to meet ethical sourcing standards as part of its practices, per the brand’s sustainability statement.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • That recognized a moral responsibility to try to balance the scales, but the court no longer tries.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
  • By integrating care ethics into institutional frameworks, VSS can foster environments where individuals feel valued and connected, addressing the moral vocation of belonging in a world facing existential threats (registration required) like climate change.
    Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Henckel von Donnersmarck tiara, $12.7 Million The Henckel von Donnersmarck tiara was previously part of the collection of Princess Katherina Henckel von Donnersmarck, a member of Germany’s noble family.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 June 2025
  • Even Lucy’s favorite customer, Sophie (Zoe Winters), isn’t that noble.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • That this wrap-up happens on the stoop of an apartment building provides a nice callback to Past Lives.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
  • In other words, this is very much a ROG Ally handheld PC but with some nice Xbox touches that will the overall experience feel more like playing an Xbox.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Jeff seems to be both the most conscientious and deplorable character.
    Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 28 May 2025
  • This will be a huge advantage to my clients that can’t find enough hourly warehouse workers, or workers that are conscientious enough to track quantities in this manner.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Nasdaq Composite had a slightly better session, closing at a respectable 0.32%.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 June 2025
  • Even among more respectable children’s literature from its time, Peter was a thoughtful creation, his architects never hesitating to use his famous credo: With great power comes great responsibility.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Gödel showed that any system of axioms in mathematics permits the formulation of statements that can’t be shown to be true or false.
    Philip Ball, Wired News, 8 June 2025
  • Hoang said the online allegations — none of which were true — led to threats of violence against the university, and there was talk that some parents withdrew their children because of them.
    Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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