HONESTY Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'honesty' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of honesty are honor , integrity , and probity . While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

Q: When is 'honor' a more appropriate choice than 'honesty'?

While the synonyms honor and honesty are close in meaning, honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

Q: When would 'integrity' be a good substitute for 'honesty'?

The meanings of integrity and honesty largely overlap; however, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

Q: When could 'probity' be used to replace 'honesty'?

While in some cases nearly identical to honesty , probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

honesty

noun

ˈä-nə-stē

Definition of honesty next

as in integrity

devotion to telling the truth George Washington has gone down in history for his honesty

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as in morality

conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong he's known for his honesty in business dealings

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as in honor

faithfulness to high moral standards she knew she could count on her students' honesty, even if she left the classroom for a few moments during the test

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as in sincerity

the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions I am speaking with all honesty when I say that your apple pie is the best I've ever tasted

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun honesty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of honesty are honor, integrity, and probity. While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

When is honor a more appropriate choice than honesty?

While the synonyms honor and honesty are close in meaning, honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

When would integrity be a good substitute for honesty?

The meanings of integrity and honesty largely overlap; however, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

When could probity be used to replace honesty?

While in some cases nearly identical to honesty, probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

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 honesty And just as Olympia’s honesty eventually softened Matty’s opinion of her in ways potentially detrimental to her mission, so Sarah’s honesty leads to a snap decision and a strategic error. —

Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025 Then there are those like Knight and Chris Cornell who excel in every vocal trait, technically, honesty. —

Steve Baltin, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 His mastery of both emotional honesty and sociopolitical truth-telling puts him in Richard Pryor territory. —

Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 Obviously, loyalty and honesty, but also just someone who is fun to play the game with. —

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for honesty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for honesty

Noun

Scientific agencies have been staffed by scientists; scientists have set scientific priorities; scientists have ensured the integrity of the science that is done, on the theory that scientists know their own complicated, technical, sometimes arcane work best.

— Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
It should be earned through action, integrity, and accountability.

— Steve Grappe Special to the Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 14 Feb. 2025