SINCERE Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sincere' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sincere are heartfelt , hearty , unfeigned , and wholehearted . While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration. // a sincere apology

Q: When can 'heartfelt' be used instead of 'sincere'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sincere , heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed. // expresses our heartfelt gratitude

Q: When could 'hearty' be used to replace 'sincere'?

Although the words hearty and sincere have much in common, hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling. // received a hearty welcome

Q: Where would 'unfeigned' be a reasonable alternative to 'sincere'?

In some situations, the words unfeigned and sincere are roughly equivalent. However, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense. // her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

Q: When might 'wholehearted' be a better fit than 'sincere'?

The synonyms wholehearted and sincere are sometimes interchangeable, but wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving. // promised our wholehearted support

sincere

adjective

sin-ˈsir

Definition of sincere

as in genuine

genuine in feeling she offered a sincere apology for her angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honest

free from any intent to deceive or impress others done out of a sincere desire to help others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sincere distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sincere are heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned, and wholehearted. While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

When can heartfelt be used instead of sincere?

While in some cases nearly identical to sincere, heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

When could hearty be used to replace sincere?

Although the words hearty and sincere have much in common, hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

Where would unfeigned be a reasonable alternative to sincere?

In some situations, the words unfeigned and sincere are roughly equivalent. However, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

When might wholehearted be a better fit than sincere?

The synonyms wholehearted and sincere are sometimes interchangeable, but wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

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 sincere My sincere thanks to the hundreds of talented performers, cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 This mix of the absurd and sincere reflects a kind of artistic engagement with existential questions that is increasingly resonating with people, many of whom are disconnected from organized religion. — ABC News, 18 July 2026 Levelheaded and sincere in a show-business world of crazy egos. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026 But the song is sweet and sincere without being twee, and just as in every scenario that could go either way, we are denied the comedic pressure valve that might release a little of the squirm. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sincere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sincere

Adjective

Whether this episode develops into a genuine challenge for the presidency remains to be seen.

— Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
America’s iconic third spaces—bars, restaurants, official and de facto fan zones—have been a circus of joy, noise and genuine human connection.

— Leo MacLehose, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of genuine

Adjective

Choose one practical repair, one honest conversation, or one limit that makes home more livable.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
The Odyssey Pirate Scams Strike At Breakneck Speed The speed at which such threats emerged is hardly eyebrow-raising to be honest, after all the hype around The Odyssey had been building for quite a while.

— Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Anderson’s heartfelt, affecting performance earned her the best reviews of her career, as well as Golden Globe and SAG nominations for Best Actress.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 July 2026
Inspired by Chinese medicine, creator Baozee transforms the body’s organs into emotional landscapes, blending quirky visuals with a heartfelt story about burnout, healing and rediscovering creativity.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Definition of heartfelt

Adjective

The version included in the NDAA limits the restrictions solely to military procurement, leaving commercial imports and private-sector sales unaffected for now.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
If approved by voters, the measure, backed by the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, would outlaw recreational cannabis sales and home cultivation, though adult possession and medical cannabis programs would remain unaffected.

— A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of unaffected

Adjective

This was a performer whose sense of self-worth, depending on the day, ranged from unfeigned humility to desperate insecurity to full-on self-loathing.

— Bruce Handy, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
His life story is inspiring, and his love of country is as unfeigned as his faith.

— Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023

Definition of unfeigned

Adjective

As is true for many other industries in China, intense competition at home is driving companies to expand globally.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
While the event offered charitable benefits, Rocket Companies' true commitment is a $500 million, 10-year philanthropic initiative.

— Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

Petticrew broke out stateside by playing IRA activist Dolours Price, a woman whose understandable aggrievement led her to harm innocent civilians as well as herself.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 27 July 2026
Killing children and other innocent Palestinians, then stealing land under a false prophecy is not defending Israel.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

Definition of innocent

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“Sincere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sincere. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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