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 Canet and Rohrwacher play off each other beautifully, his suave, even louche charisma often upended and disarmed by her directness of gaze and expression. Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023 The Reverend recalled how the royal's grandfather used directness — and some colorful language — to his advantage when persuading politicians and other civil servants to provide funding for the building that Prince William was visiting. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023 Later, the very real give-and-take between her and a priest (Liam Neeson, superb in a welcome bit of quiet away from action-thriller terrain) is stirring in its unadorned directness. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2023 The directness of the language allows Pyle and the writers to nakedly address issues that in an ordinary comedy — not to say, ordinary conversation — would be cloaked in ambiguity and equivocation. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023 Guettel’s score is worth waiting for, even constrained by the directness of the premise. Vulture, 6 June 2023 His current and potential competitors are beginning to make the case — with varying levels of directness — that voters should consider alternatives after the losses in the 2018 midterms, the 2020 general election, the 2021 Senate runoffs, and the 2022 midterms. Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Feb. 2023 Jessica Chermayeff and Ana Veselic, the couple who directed the docuseries, were instantly taken by this directness and her willingness to be vulnerable. Chioma Nnadi, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2023 Inspiration can often come from authentic directness and simple humanity. William Inboden, CNN, 8 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'directness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of directness was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near directness

Cite this Entry

“Directness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directness. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

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