directness

noun di·rect·ness \ də-ˈrek(t)-nəs , dī- \

Definition of directness

1 :the character of being accurate in course or aim

2 :strict pertinence :straightforwardness

her directness was disarming
—Robin Cook

Examples of directness in a Sentence

his directness is much appreciated by his patients

Recent Examples of directness from the Web

This sandwich has a simplicity, an old-school directness, that appeals.

— bill daley, chicagotribune.com, "Charred salami, served like a hot dog, is a must at Poochie's in Skokie," 30 Aug. 2017
What is different this time: some rank-and-file Republicans in Congress are speaking out against Trump, although with differing degrees of directness.

— chrissie thompson, Cincinnati.com, "Steve Chabot: No 'moral equivalence' between neo-Nazis, protesters," 16 Aug. 2017
Rihanna addressing the news with the appropriate combination of humor and directness is Rihanna in top form.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "Rihanna's Hilarious Response to Her Harsh Feedback for Diplo Is an Instant Classic," 9 Aug. 2017
Directness is respectful even of your ailing Captain Sarcastic — certainly more so than eye-rolling is.

— carolyn hax, Detroit Free Press, "Steering clear of ever-changing parenting trends," 29 July 2017
Directness is respectful even of your ailing Captain Sarcastic — certainly more so than eye-rolling is.

— carolyn hax, Detroit Free Press, "Steering clear of ever-changing parenting trends," 29 July 2017
Directness is respectful even of your ailing Captain Sarcastic — certainly more so than eye-rolling is.

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "Raising kids as you see fit is ‘in’," 26 July 2017
But for me, being there felt like a fist-down-on-the-table expression of life in its directness and beauty.

— alli harvey, Alaska Dispatch News, "Done it all in Kenai and Mat-Su? Consider a ferry trip to Cordova.," 19 July 2017
Galea, a physician and epidemiologist by training, is quick-to-the-point and unflinching—even brutal, at times, in his directness, particularly in the chapterettes on firearms, substance abuse, and incarceration.

— clifton leaf, Fortune, "for coverage from TIME, Health, Fortune and more," 15 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'directness.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of directness

1598

directness Synonyms

Synonyms

bluntness, candidness, candor, forthrightness, frankness, honesty, openheartedness, openness, outspokenness, plainness, plainspokenness, plumpness, straightforwardness, unguardedness, unreserve, unreservedness

Antonyms

dissembling, dissimulation, indirection

Related Words

earnestness, sincerity, sobriety; artlessness, genuineness, naïveté (also naivete or naiveté), simplicity, unsophistication; communicativeness, freedom, license (or licence), uninhibitedeness, unrestrainedness, unrestraint

Near Antonyms

circuitousness, evasiveness, secretiveness; inhibition, reserve, restraint, reticence, shyness; diplomacy, tact

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directness

Definition of directness

Examples of directness in a Sentence

Recent Examples of directness from the Web

First Known Use of directness

directness Synonyms

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Antonyms

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