sincere

adjective

sin·​cere sin-ˈsir 

sən-

sincerer; sincerest

1

a

: free of dissimulation : honest

a sincere interest

b

: free from adulteration : pure

a sincere doctrine

sincere wine

2

: marked by genuineness : true

sincereness noun

Synonyms

• heartfelt
• unfeigned

Choose the Right Synonym for sincere

sincere, wholehearted, heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned mean genuine in feeling.

sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

Examples of sincere in a Sentence

He sounded sincere in his promises.

She seemed sincere in her commitment to finish school.

She has a sincere interest in painting.

He showed a sincere concern for her health.

He made a sincere attempt to quit smoking.

Please accept our sincere thanks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Regardless of sincere apologies years after the indiscretions first occurred, ball players on the Astros were granted immunity during Major League Baseball’s investigation which was met with intense criticism. —Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Brands briefly digs below the surface to question whether Lindbergh and Roosevelt were sincere, but further digging would have unearthed a mother lode of insincerities. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024

During each round of balloting, cardinals stride toward Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgment, then swear before Christ that their vote is sincere. —Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

Hays recommends gifting a bouquet of flowers, a potted plant, a bottle of wine, or a sincere thank you card. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin sincerus whole, pure, genuine, probably from sem- one + -cerus (akin to Latin crescere to grow) — more at same, crescent

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sincere

adjective

sin·​cere sin-ˈsi(ə)r 

sincerer; sincerest

1

: trustworthy, straightforward

a sincere friend

2

: genuine sense 1, real

a sincere interest in painting

sincerely adverb

sincerity

-ˈser-ət-ē

-ˈsir-

noun