as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
his directness is much appreciated by his patients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 directness
She’s also known for her directness, which has led to dramatic clashes with her fellow commissioners.
—
Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Known for his candor, Foran once famously told reporters that most of Walmart’s stores were not up to standard, breaking with a company culture that didn’t prize such directness.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Under the current setup, Amad has shown directness, assist threat and a willingness to get in behind the defence — attributes that translate well to FPL scoring.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
However, treating this relationship transition with kindness, directness and respect is your responsibility.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directness
Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Known for his candor, Foran once famously told reporters that most of Walmart’s stores were not up to standard, breaking with a company culture that didn’t prize such directness.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Under the current setup, Amad has shown directness, assist threat and a willingness to get in behind the defence — attributes that translate well to FPL scoring.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
However, treating this relationship transition with kindness, directness and respect is your responsibility.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directness
Noun
-
Choose honesty, and let support flow in.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Now, because of his imprudent and inaccurate sloganeering, even with a majority of his appointees sitting on the board, the mayor faces the prospect of a legal and political fiasco that implicates the honesty of his most prominent promise to his constituents.—
Christian Browne,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some have gone further, publicly chewing khat on the campaign trail, a gesture that signals solidarity and which has become something of a ritual in Kenyan electoral cycles, with aspiring leaders competing to demonstrate the sincerity of their commitment to khat farmers and traders.—
Joseph Maina,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The sincerity of this aim can sometimes run counter to the sharp, excruciatingly realistic satire that’s previously been the show’s bailiwick, and sometimes still is.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fulmer also delivers some comedic moments as Alycia, whose fast-talking frankness can be quite funny, albeit tone-deaf at times.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Her emotional frankness has also translated into measurable commercial impact.—
Amy Francombe,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Villa’s offensive bluntness has exacerbated other wrinkles within Emery’s collective structure.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
She’s built a career on candid takes about relationships, work and the absurdities of everyday life, delivered with her trademark mix of bluntness and charm.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Fortune spoke with six people who have invested in Anthropic to get a sense of how this key constituency is feeling about the situation, and found that opinions were not unified despite the company’s longstanding forthrightness about its values.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
WalletHub has studied deferred interest since 2012, periodically flagging retailers that offer the loans and rating their financing offers on transparency and forthrightness.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Mary Gaitskill is particularly good at this ideal combination of straightforwardness and pithiness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Her question, in Lipe-Smith’s inquisitive piccolo of a voice, is heartbreaking in its blend of straightforwardness and desperate desire, as is her mother’s wavering response.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Shinichi Atobe’s arresting house and techno beams with inimitable candor, built from bright, phlegmatic loops that run on an eccentric internal logic.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The second was a charge of a lack of candor during the Ethics Commitee’s investigation.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directness. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
