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an honest effort
a genuine effort
a sincere effort
an authentic effort
an earnest effort
a heartfelt effort
honest work
earnest work
genuine work
an honest answer
a truthful answer
a genuine answer
an accurate answer
a frank answer
honest communication
open communication
transparent communication
heartfelt communication
upfront communication
clear communication

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honest are conscientious, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

How do conscientious and scrupulous relate to one another, in the sense of honest?

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

When would honorable be a good substitute for honest?

The meanings of honorable and honest largely overlap; however, 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

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to honest?

While the synonyms just and honest are close in meaning, just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When might upright be a better fit than honest?

The words upright and honest can be used in similar contexts, but 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 honest Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive. Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Feb. 2025 Even with Jarmusch’s trademark opacity, the point is clear: Filmmakers should aim to create a practice that is personal and honest because that is what makes the work interesting. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025 Open, honest communication with your healthcare team is one of the best ways to prepare for what lies ahead and improve your quality of life. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025 These orders, including the most recent one, issued February 5, honor honest scientific inquiry and reverse the trend of activists distorting the scientific picture. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • Filming their every outspoken thought and conversation whether in the newsroom, at home, on the street or in cars driving around frigid Moscow, the director channels the growing sense of dread as the government crackdown accelerates and the war nears.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Bongino, a 50-year-old former Secret Service agent turned conservative-media commentator, is instead most well known for his outspoken support for Trump and his frequent spreading of misinformation, including about the FBI.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Human rights lawyer Darcy was killed by a landmine in Sudan while negotiating the release of aid workers — an honorable way to go.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Lester received an honorable discharge on Dec. 4, 1972.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As audiences continue to grow, the demand for authentic and ethical content has never been more important.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Clear definition of values and purpose: Values are the ethical principles that define the organization's identity and guide its decisions, behavior and corporate culture.
    Susana Sierra, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The film, which tells the true story of an all-Black, all-female battalion in WWII, also saw Kerry Washington take home the Best Actress award in a moment of genuine shock and gratitude.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Feb. 2025
  • His deep passion for photography and his genuine connection with his subjects resulted in an intimate body of work, setting him apart in the world of entertainment photojournalism.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Agents were granted anonymity to encourage honest and candid answers.
    James Mirtle, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Then, one of my more candid friends asked everyone to share their salaries.
    Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Take the conscientious soul who posts her outrage over the war in Ukraine on social media before, seconds later, sharing a picture of her lunch.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Nearly 18 percent of kindergarteners in Gaines have conscientious exemptions, which is an exemption from school vaccination requirements based on reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The integrity of our legal system depends on accurate information and authentic legal authority.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The tone and grit is authentic to the original show, and the writing never feels too dissimilar.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the past few decades, conspiracy theories have emerged from time to time about whether the government is being truthful about the amount of gold stored there because of the fort’s high security.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
  • But one man has recently discovered his wife wasn't truthful at the start of their relationship, leaving him heartbroken over 10 years later.
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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