probity

noun

pro·​bi·​ty ˈprō-bə-tē How to pronounce probity (audio)
: adherence to the highest principles and ideals : uprightness

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Probity and its synonyms honesty, honor, and integrity all mean uprightness of character or action, with some slight differences in emphasis. Honesty implies a refusal to lie or deceive in any way. Honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position. Integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge. Probity, which descends from Latin probus, meaning "honest," implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Choose the Right Synonym for probity

honesty, honor, integrity, probity mean uprightness of character or action.

honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Examples of probity in a Sentence

a person of indisputable probity must head the disciplinary panel the defense attorney questioned the probity of the witness
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There are questions of law and questions of decency, and even those who skirt the outer limits of the law attempt to keep up an appearance of probity. Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 However, rather than a system with strong legal institutions and constraints on executive power, the Constitution of Year III relied on the probity of its voters and representatives. Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 16 Sep. 2024 France’s fiscal probity is in doubt with investors shorting the nation’s bonds even before Macron’s surprise decision, and the region’s allure as a stable and relatively volatility-free alternative to US markets has taken a blow. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 28 June 2024 Speaking to the Guardian, FitzGerald dismissed the notion that his father, who was widely known for his probity, would make a claim for payment. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for probity 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English probite, from Latin probitat-, probitas, from probus honest — more at prove

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of probity was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near probity

Cite this Entry

“Probity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probity. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

probity

noun
pro·​bi·​ty ˈprō-bət-ē How to pronounce probity (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on probity

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