directness

noun

di·​rect·​ness də-ˈrek(t)-nəs How to pronounce directness (audio)
dī-
1
: the character of being accurate in course or aim
2
: strict pertinence : straightforwardness
her directness was disarmingRobin Cook

Examples of directness in a Sentence

his directness is much appreciated by his patients
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Pace was central to everything good about Forest, who were set up to hit opposition with explosive speed and directness on the counter-attack through players such as Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Paul Taylor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 In films like that, the cultural commentary comes more from metaphor than with the bluntness and directness of The Purge. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 The researchers' findings show how recent AI models default to Western-style directness, completely missing the cultural cues that govern everyday interactions for millions of Persian speakers worldwide. ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025 But what makes the Kimmel affair different, and much more chilling, than the dismissal of Colbert is the directness and obviousness of the federal government’s interference. Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for directness

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of directness was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Directness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directness. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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