dishonest

adjective

dis·​hon·​est (ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst 

 also  (ˌ)diz-

1

obsolete : shameful, unchaste

2

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

dishonestly adverb

Synonyms

• misleading
• erroneous
• mendacious
• untruthful
• lying
• false

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of dishonest in a Sentence

She gave dishonest answers to our questions.

I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows

Recent Examples on the Web

Matthiessen, not without reason, portrays the Bureau as paranoid, dishonest, and in league with corporate interests. —Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

For that incredibly dishonest assessment that actually did a disservice to the country, Obama is held up to widespread praise by Democrats and others, even winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025

Roberts plays an unhappy American in Venice who is wooed by depressed, divorced, and done-with-love Allen in a variety of vaguely dishonest ways. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025

Ventura also rejected the defense’s portrayal of Combs as a changed man, calling it dishonest and dangerous. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dishonest

• honest
• monist

Kids Definition

dishonest

adjective

dis·​hon·​est (ˈ)dis-ˈän-əst 

: not honest or trustworthy : deceitful

dishonest people

dishonestly adverb