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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun honesty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of honesty are honor, integrity, and probity. While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

When is honor a more appropriate choice than honesty?

While the synonyms honor and honesty are close in meaning, honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

When would integrity be a good substitute for honesty?

The meanings of integrity and honesty largely overlap; however, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

When could probity be used to replace honesty?

While in some cases nearly identical to honesty, probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

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 honesty This searing honesty serves as a brutal reminder of today’s societal climate. David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025 She’s approached it with honesty, meeting his curiosity with age-appropriate transparency. Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2025 The people of their small town of Walnut Grove looked up to him for his courage to do what was right and champion honesty, fairness, and hard work for all. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025 And that honesty appeared to unify the organization behind a common cause: getting back to the Super Bowl and finally getting that monkey off their back. Ben Morse, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honesty
Noun
  • In July 2023, the industry group sued the E.P.A., as well as the National Academies, accusing researchers of a lack of scientific integrity.
    Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Dissatisfaction with Lewis reached a peak in June, when two Pulitzer Prize-winning Post journalists called for a leadership change amid the reports that questioned Lewis’ journalistic integrity, undermining the Post’s reputation and reporting alike.
    Liam Reilly, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Both Ford and Mirren warn that Whitfield’s endless means and lack of morality will continue to bring a different kind of beast to the Duttons’ doorstep.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The morality of being a missileer – and minister David Feddern was also a missileer here in Echo-01.
    Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • This year’s celebration will honor various individuals with special honors and name the winners in several top categories.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Nominations for the prestigious honors are out May 1.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Cynically referring to the Trotskyists accused in the show trials that Stalin staged in Moscow as part of the Great Purge, Brecht’s comment is still debated in part because its degree of sincerity is so hard to parse.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Roughly defined, the genre celebrates rhythm, sincerity and virtuosity.
    Adam Bradley D’Angelo Lovell Williams Milton David Dixon III, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • About two dozen trustees serve by virtue of their government office, such as the librarian of Congress, the secretary of state, the mayor of Washington and the speaker and the minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.
    E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The San Diego Jewish Academy was the 17th seed in the 16-team Division 4 boys bracket, but qualified for the playoffs by virtue of a regular-season win over No. 16 Coastal Academy.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • For industries that rely on real-time connectivity—whether in logistics, streaming services, or online marketplaces—network reliability is critical.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Good question—after all, Jaguars are not renowned for being paragons of reliability.
    Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Thank goodness Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) can still sprint.
    Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2025
  • This subtle difference had profound implications: Patronage and public benefit were no longer assumed to be duties, but bonuses that wealthy individuals could provide out of the goodness of their hearts.
    Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The real shock for Ukrainians is not necessarily in the substance of Trump's remarks but in their directness—which is indeed unwise.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
  • One group may appreciate directness, but another prefers more sensitivity.
    Linda Allen-Hardisty, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honesty. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honesty

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