dishonest

adjective

dis·​hon·​est (ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst 

 also  (ˌ)diz-

1

obsolete : shameful, unchaste

2

: characterized by lack of truth, honesty, or trustworthiness : unfair, deceptive

dishonestly adverb

Synonyms

• lying
• mendacious
• untruthful

Choose the Right Synonym for dishonest

dishonest, deceitful, mendacious, untruthful mean unworthy of trust or belief.

dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Examples of dishonest in a Sentence

She gave dishonest answers to our questions.

I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows

Recent Examples on the Web

All Republicans in the General Assembly are lame ducks and Shoemaker is being dishonest in his criticism of me for not towing the party’s strategy of failure. —Christopher Eric Bouchat, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025

Their termination e-mails were short, impersonal, and, in many cases, dishonest. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025

Public Support for Climate Action A U-turn on climate action is both intellectually dishonest and an electoral loser. —David Carlin, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Rubio accused Musk of being dishonest and noted that more than 1,500 State Department officials took buyouts to leave their posts. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deshoneste, from des- dis- + honeste honest

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dishonest

• honest
• monist

Kids Definition

dishonest

adjective

dis·​hon·​est (ˈ)dis-ˈän-əst 

: not honest or trustworthy : deceitful

dishonest people

dishonestly adverb