probity

noun

pro·​bi·​ty ˈprō-bə-tē 

: adherence to the highest principles and ideals : uprightness

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Probity and its synonyms honesty, honor, and integrity all mean uprightness of character or action, with some slight differences in emphasis. Honesty implies a refusal to lie or deceive in any way. Honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position. Integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge. Probity, which descends from Latin probus, meaning "honest," implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Synonyms

• character
• decency
• goodness
• honesty
• integrity
• morality
• rectitude
• righteousness
• rightness
• uprightness
• virtue
• virtuousness

Choose the Right Synonym for probity

honesty, honor, integrity, probity mean uprightness of character or action.

honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Examples of probity in a Sentence

a person of indisputable probity must head the disciplinary panel

the defense attorney questioned the probity of the witness

Recent Examples on the Web

As for the legal probity of targeting such a change at one country—China—this would hardly be unprecedented. —Alex Raskolnikov, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2025

The legal and political crisis encompasses both the Justice Department and New York’s City Hall, calling into question Mr. Adams’s future as well as the independence and probity of federal prosecutions. —Benjamin Weiser, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

Carter’s outsider status, coupled with his evident probity, provided a tonic to an electorate weary of Watergate and Richard Nixon’s endless prevarications. —Randall Balmer, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2025

The dilemma recalls Otto Preminger’s Whirlpool and Where the Sidewalk Ends, post-WWII films about personal probity but without the melodramatic hype that cheapened both. —Armond White, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English probite, from Latin probitat-, probitas, from probus honest — more at prove

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

probity

noun

pro·​bi·​ty ˈprō-bət-ē 

: honesty, uprightness