DISHONEST Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dishonest' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dishonest are deceitful , mendacious , and untruthful . While all these words 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

Q: When is 'deceitful' a more appropriate choice than 'dishonest'?

While the synonyms deceitful and dishonest are close in meaning, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing. // the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

Q: When might 'mendacious' be a better fit than 'dishonest'?

The words mendacious and dishonest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When could 'untruthful' be used to replace 'dishonest'?

The words untruthful and dishonest can be used in similar contexts, but untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality. // an untruthful account of their actions

dishonest

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst

Definition of dishonest next

as in misleading

telling or containing lies I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows dishonest statements on the claims form

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fraudulent

given to or marked by cheating and deception dishonest car dealers who roll back mileage gauges dishonest business deals that landed him in jail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in false

marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value dishonest appraisals of art works that were part of an elaborate scheme to defraud insurance companies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dishonest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dishonest are deceitful, mendacious, and untruthful. While all these words 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

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than dishonest?

While the synonyms deceitful and dishonest are close in meaning, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When might mendacious be a better fit than dishonest?

The words mendacious and dishonest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When could untruthful be used to replace dishonest?

The words untruthful and dishonest can be used in similar contexts, but untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Examples 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 dishonest This leads people to, at the same time, doubt scientific fact but also attempt to fill in that doubt with untrustworthy, inaccurate and dishonest information. —

Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024 The line is straight out of eugenics, the deeply dishonest scientism that in the early 20th century convinced many people that criminality, poverty and a host of other ills were all inherited. —

Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024 Focusing On Real Life Interactions To Avoid Deception Many users report feeling deceived and disappointed after getting emotionally invested in someone over text, only to discover that the person had been dishonest. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 The crucial element was, again, randomness — the verifier’s choice of snippets would have to be unpredictable, to ensure that a dishonest prover couldn’t hide inconsistencies anywhere. —

Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dishonest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonest

Adjective

Noon in the 1800 block of South Bascom Avenue: Someone stole the victim’s credit cards and cell phone and later made several fraudulent charges.

Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Cash App is expected to pay out up to $15 million in a settlement over two data security incidents and company practices around unauthorized account access and fraudulent transactions.

Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024