probity

noun

pro·​bi·​ty ˈprō-bə-tē 

: 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.

Synonyms

• character
• decency
• goodness
• honesty
• integrity
• morality
• rectitude
• righteousness
• rightness
• uprightness
• virtue
• virtuousness

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

But the arrival in the emerging world of financial globalization, with its demands of political and institutional stability, financial supervision, and monetary and fiscal probity, proved far more damaging. —Alan M. Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2011

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

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

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Kids Definition

probity

noun

pro·​bi·​ty ˈprō-bət-ē 

: honesty, uprightness