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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honorable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honorable are conscientious, honest, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," 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

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of honorable?

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

In what contexts can honest take the place of honorable?

Although the words honest and honorable have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could just be used to replace honorable?

The synonyms just and honorable are sometimes interchangeable, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When would upright be a good substitute for honorable?

While the synonyms upright and honorable are close in meaning, 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 honorable Captain Dellinger of the US Army is an honorable man who only seeks the truth, and whose writing is filled with hope for a better future. Erik Kain, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 Throughout his life, Wayne was an honorable member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025 Those whose discharges remain less than honorable are still denied full benefits. Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Biopics about music icons occupy a long and occasionally honorable place in the movies. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for honorable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • Part of the consideration for Justice Department lawyers is whether simply signing the document would mean risking their bar license, since major ethical objections have already been made to dropping the case.
    Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Adams appeared on Fox and Friends Friday morning with Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, who appeared to talk about an agreement, which the prosecutors in New York flagged as an enormous legal and ethical problem.
    Carrie Johnson, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The law was a moral and practical victory, ensuring that millions of children with disabilities could no longer be excluded from public schools.
    Scott White, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
  • This is a moral failing that demands immediate action by our leaders.
    Christine Quinn, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Where to stay: Patria Palace Book now: Patria Palace Located in the heart of Lecce’s centro storico, just steps from the Basilica di Santa Croce, this 58-room boutique hotel occupies an 18th-century noble palace.
    Laura Itzkowitz, AFAR Media, 15 Jan. 2025
  • As the nation mourns the demise of this noble humanitarian and tributes pour in from all over the world, the differences between the qualities and attributes of the 39th President and the incoming 47th President are stark and undeniable.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Give your sink a nice bubble bath by stopping the drain and filling the basin along with a tablet.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Elizabeth had started working and spent some of her wages on nice outfits.
    Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This helps maintain a healthy lifestyle that’s conscientious about what goes into and on the body.
    Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
  • And in the early, idealistic years of the folk revival, Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers (who died in 2009) strummed and harmonized their way toward that conscientious balance of folk and pop.
    Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • During those two seasons with the Brewers, Urias hit .244 with 20 homers and a respectable .766 OPS in 269 games.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In reality, Amad’s absence means ambitions to finish the campaign strongly and climb to a slightly more respectable position are remote.
    Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The pair joined Deadline’s Contenders Film: The Nominees virtual livestream event to talk about the Orion Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios film, and their inspiration for adapting Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which was inspired by true events.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Feb. 2025
  • As Donald Trump shamelessly stretches the boundaries of the law to expand his power and influence, America’s federal judges remaining true to their oaths will be critical to preserving the constitutional order of our democracy.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near honorable

Cite this Entry

“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honorable

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