dishonest

dis·hon·est

adjective \(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst also (ˌ)diz-\

Definition of DISHONEST

1

obsolete : shameful, unchaste

2

: characterized by lack of truth, honesty, or trustworthiness : unfair, deceptive

— dis·hon·est·ly adverb

Examples of DISHONEST

1. She gave dishonest answers to our questions.
2. <dishonest kids who lie about their ages in order to get into R-rated movies>

Origin of DISHONEST

Middle English, from Anglo-French deshoneste, from des- dis- + honeste honest

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISHONEST

Synonyms

lying, mendacious, untruthful

Antonyms

honest, truthful, veracious

Related Words

erroneous, fallacious, false, misleading, untrue; double-dealing, hypocrite, hypocritical, insincere, mealymouthed, smooth-tongued, two-faced; perjurious

Near Antonyms

candid, open, plainspoken, straightforward; earnest, sincere, true; conscientious, moral, principled, scrupulous; dependable, reliable, trustable, trustworthy, trusty; decent, ethical, honorable, just, respectable, righteous, right-minded, straight, upright, upstanding, virtuous

Synonym Discussion of DISHONEST

dishonest, deceitful, mendacious, untruthful mean unworthy of trust or belief. dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud <a swindle usually involves two dishonest people>. deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing <the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse>. mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths <mendacious tales of adventure>. untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality <an untruthful account of their actions>.