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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honorable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honorable are conscientious, honest, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," 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

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of honorable?

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

In what contexts can honest take the place of honorable?

Although the words honest and honorable have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could just be used to replace honorable?

The synonyms just and honorable are sometimes interchangeable, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When would upright be a good substitute for honorable?

While the synonyms upright and honorable are close in meaning, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 honorable An honorable discharge status unlocks access to benefits that some of these veterans may have been missing out on for decades, including things like health care, college tuition assistance, VA loan programs and even some jobs. Jessica Kegu, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2024 Do something honorable or help a cause that touches your heart. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 Friendly’s: All veterans who dine in get a free All American Burger with cheese and a beverage on Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (show military ID or honorable discharge document to get the deal). Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 10 Nov. 2024 Would Adams have preferred a deeply dishonorable man in the White House over an honorable woman? Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for honorable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable
Adjective
  • In this novel about the shape-shifting nature of love, Parsons captures Kit’s grief in aching and honest terms.
    Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
    Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • While philanthropy’s core lies in ethical values, Vincent enriches traditional strategies with a critical outlook.
    Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • However, economic factors such as inflation and the rising cost of living are impacting Gen Z’s holiday spending, with many seeking deals and exclusive discounts while still prioritizing ethical choices.
    Nandan Sheth, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Do countries have a legal as well as a moral obligation to prevent a planetary disaster?
    Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
  • These luminaries of the anti-corporate progressive Left are experts in moral inversion.
    Matthew Continetti, National Review, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Through the interview and its absurd aftermath, Khalifah satirizes the idea of telling your story as a noble or even politically effective pursuit.
    Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
  • That's when noble Sir John makes Claire a proposal — marry him and gain the protection of his good name with the Crown.
    EW.com, EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Two hundred of her closest family and friends made it on the nice list and were invited to her winter celebration.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Scharffen Berger 70% Cacao Bittersweet Dark Chocolate: A nice snap and melt here, but tasters said there was an acrid quality that gave it an unpleasant finish.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Everyone here could have made a more conscientious, community-minded choice.
    R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Due to childhood lead poisoning, the research suggests that Americans, overall, are less conscientious and more neurotic.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Acceleration is respectable, considering the car is close to 4,700 pounds.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2024
  • But Laughton, who has a respectable 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 30 games, has been identified by Flyers management as an important culture-setter.
    Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Worse still, the falsehood was a double-down of the AI insisting that the remark was true.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Just Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, that seemed true in a loss.
    Scott Powers, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near honorable

Cite this Entry

“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on honorable

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