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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sincere distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sincere are heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned, and wholehearted. While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

When can heartfelt be used instead of sincere?

While in some cases nearly identical to sincere, heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

When could hearty be used to replace sincere?

Although the words hearty and sincere have much in common, hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

Where would unfeigned be a reasonable alternative to sincere?

In some situations, the words unfeigned and sincere are roughly equivalent. However, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

When might wholehearted be a better fit than sincere?

The synonyms wholehearted and sincere are sometimes interchangeable, but wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

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 sincere No doubt the many sympathetic replies that came her way were sincere. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 All of this Birbiglia delivers with the perfect blend of the sincere and silly. Will Digravio, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025 Tompa’s superb performance outlines the better version of herself that Orsolya would like to be, not least through her sincere, searching expressions of grief, but that integrity is often blurred by glibness and complacency. Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025 With rising executive turnover expected, boards and CEOs need to play a sincere role in developing the leadership bench. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sincere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sincere
Adjective
  • But their filing this week suggests that response wasn't genuine.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Donors, for their part, gain peace of mind knowing their contributions are making a genuine, measurable difference—solidifying an enduring partnership in the quest for positive social change.
    Victoria Philips, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But to be honest the significant immune support is more than enough to keep me taking it.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Without fair elections, an honest media environment and a credible opposition, voters can’t correct their country’s course at the ballot box, providing competitive authoritarian regimes little incentive to do anything but enrich themselves.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Every once in a while, a pitfall of community theater is glimpsed, but only momentarily, and here the heartfelt sense of fun overcomes any little shortcoming.
    Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
  • With Fallon playing Dawson, Jackson went down memory lane in a scene imagining a heartfelt reconciliation between the two characters.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Key Vatican functions, such as preparations for the 2025 Holy Year celebrations, remain unaffected.
    Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
  • For instance, if a breach occurs in your main network, segmentation helps ensure that VoIP services remain unaffected.
    Ruchir Brahmbhatt, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • His life story is inspiring, and his love of country is as unfeigned as his faith.
    Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
  • Its combination of unfeigned earnestness and irreverent, early-Marvel-era wit can’t help but bring to mind that moment — that other world — when Obama was still president and Hamilton was taking its shot on Broadway.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2023
Adjective
  • This fund is the simplest way to play the inevitable rise in lithium prices.
    Brett Owens, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Prioritizing fitness amid a busy travel schedule, the former Radio City Rockette and The Talk host says her outlook is simple.
    Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But while Connecticut is largely forested, only about one-tenth of 1% of all forest land in the state is considered true old-growth forest.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
  • This becomes even more true if a recession does result.
    Steve Banker, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In a race against time, Melissa must figure out if an innocent man is going to die for a crime her father really committed.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Dangerously selfish, vain and proud, Wilde’s Salome is anything but innocent.
    E.R. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sincere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sincere. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sincere

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