Synonyms of sincere

sincere

adjective

sin-ˈsir 

1

as in genuine

genuine in feeling

she offered a sincere apology for her angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

• genuine
• heartfelt
• unfeigned
• honest
• unaffected
• authentic
• true
• ingenuous
• transparent
• unforced
• artless
• wholehearted
• translucent
• hearty
• whole-souled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insincere
• false
• artificial
• feigned
• affected
• hypocritical
• unctuous
• backhanded
• mealy
• double-dealing
• two-faced
• mealymouthed
• left-handed

2

as in honest

free from any intent to deceive or impress others

done out of a sincere desire to help others

Synonyms & Similar Words

• genuine
• honest
• unaffected
• simple
• true
• innocent
• naive
• real
• guileless
• naïve
• ingenuous
• spontaneous
• artless
• straightforward
• inexperienced
• unpretentious
• unpretending
• natural
• on the level
• candid
• childlike
• trustful
• unsophisticated
• frank
• direct
• unworldly
• trusting
• impressionable
• wide-eyed
• unforced
• malleable
• open
• simpleminded
• openhearted
• unstudied
• plain
• plainspoken
• persuadable
• dewy-eyed
• gullible
• unguarded
• single-minded
• gee-whiz
• straight
• free
• persuasible
• susceptible
• free-spoken
• gullable
• exploitable
• unwary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insincere
• false
• critical
• assuming
• artificial
• dishonest
• cynical
• fake
• phony
• pretentious
• skeptical
• artful
• affected
• phoney
• wary
• suspicious
• sophisticated
• worldly
• mistrustful
• cosmopolitan
• cultured
• polished
• civilized
• guileful
• hypocritical
• refined
• cultivated
• deceptive
• subtle
• manipulative
• deceitful
• dissembling
• dissimulating
• shrewd
• devious
• sharp
• crooked
• smooth
• cunning
• worldly-wise
• sly
• crafty
• slick
• wily
• designing
• flattering
• slippery
• underhanded
• tricky
• shifty
• scheming
• calculating
• unctuous
• foxy
• feigned
• arch
• strained
• forced
• two-faced
• double-dealing
• sycophantic
• knavish
• canny
• mealymouthed

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sincere distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sincere are heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned, and wholehearted. While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

When can heartfelt be used instead of sincere?

While in some cases nearly identical to sincere, heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

When could hearty be used to replace sincere?

Although the words hearty and sincere have much in common, hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

Where would unfeigned be a reasonable alternative to sincere?

In some situations, the words unfeigned and sincere are roughly equivalent. However, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

When might wholehearted be a better fit than sincere?

The synonyms wholehearted and sincere are sometimes interchangeable, but wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

Examples of sincere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But this recap of a unique and deeply sincere bid to demystify utopian ideals for the conservative masses using the platform of popular television offers a fascinating glimpse into a very different period in this country’s past. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Oct. 2024

My sincere appreciation goes to Kazuo Hirai for offering me this opportunity in 2017, and to Kenichiro Yoshida and Hiroki Totoki for their leadership and unwavering trust and support over the years. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2024

Because the cocktail, when sipped slowly on a cold autumn night, offers a sincere argument for all things beautiful and dangerous. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2024

The Biden-Harris administration’s attempts to correct this situation have been sincere, but don’t get to the root of the problem. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2024