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an honest effort
a genuine effort
a sincere effort
an authentic effort
an earnest effort
a heartfelt effort
honest work
earnest work
genuine work
an honest answer
a truthful answer
a genuine answer
an accurate answer
a frank answer
honest communication
open communication
transparent communication
heartfelt communication
upfront communication
clear communication

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honest are conscientious, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

How do conscientious and scrupulous relate to one another, in the sense of honest?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When would honorable be a good substitute for honest?

The meanings of honorable and honest largely overlap; however, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to honest?

While the synonyms just and honest are close in meaning, just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When might upright be a better fit than honest?

The words upright and honest can be used in similar contexts, but upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 honest Fortunately for him, game film is as brutally honest as the scale, and Watson asserted himself as serviceable — and periodically staggering — as a run-stopper over four college seasons in Gainesville’s generally sweltering climate. Joey Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025 Willard has been brutally honest since the NCAA Tournament started last week. Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 And if everyone involved is being honest — even his staunchest critics — Sanders has delivered in every way imaginable. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2025 From her love story with Greenfield (who also wrote the foreword) to the darkest day of her esteemed career, Sanchez found solace in being so raw and honest. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • On the state level, Maine officials have been the most outspoken over the refusal to comply with the federal law, resulting in a back-and-forth between the state and the Trump administration.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In a climate overcrowded with tiresome discourse, these seven Black women are carving their own lanes by being unapologetically outspoken, insightful and honest—and doing it with flair.
    Essence, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Nelson provided a copy of his honorable discharge, which was issued in 2011 and related to a previous term of service.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025
  • For Dan Hurley, UConn men, a painful, but honorable end to their historic era Dom Amore: For Dan Hurley, UConn men, a painful, but honorable end to their historic era Dom Amore’s Sunday Read: Will coaching carousel finally snag Dan Hurley’s assistants?
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes reporters follow company ethical guidelines that ensure the highest quality.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • This is said to be the more ethical path, because A.I. will be crucial to any potential human survival.
    Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Without further context, the statement feels hollow — lacking both accountability and a genuine acknowledgment of the culture that made the boot iconic.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Is this the genuine cargo or some wiry wisp of a Ringo impersonator?
    Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sisters star and older sister of Tammy and Amy Slaton posted a photo on Instagram alongside her boyfriend, getting candid about her struggles in the caption.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Balancing Acts: Motherhood, Leadership and Finding Joy When asked about creating balance in her demanding role, Hopkin is refreshingly candid.
    Melissa Noel, Essence, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Emily is a conscientious worker who is constantly evaluating her performance and setting ever higher goals.
    Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
  • On the other hand lies the more difficult but ultimately more promising path: repudiation of that post-2008 legacy and a conscientious return to a politics of the prudential center.
    Newsweek, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • To find one-of-a-kind spots around the globe that offer transformative experiences, tempting travelers to venture farther and embrace the authentic.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Japan is known for great, authentic luxury, and the seller has great reviews on eBay (and TikTok).
    Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone ruled Tuesday morning that Read’s defense team — and particularly attorney Alan Jackson — had not been entirely open and truthful about its dealings with two witnesses from last year’s trial.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Meta has called upon Apple and Google to take responsibility for age verification at the app store level since these companies already have the age of children whose parents have set up a child account for their device or from teens that set up their own accounts and were truthful about their age.
    Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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