dishonesty

noun

dis·​hon·​es·​ty (ˌ)dis-ˈä-nə-stē How to pronounce dishonesty (audio)
 also  (ˌ)diz-
1
: lack of honesty or integrity : disposition to defraud or deceive
2
: a dishonest act : fraud

Examples of dishonesty in a Sentence

Are you accusing him of dishonesty? her dishonesty about what happened
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.
Board meetings saw jeering, insults and accusations of dishonesty as members spoke, and frustrated parents accused leadership of lying and maliciously molding the process to a preferred outcome. Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 What looks like dishonesty is often an attempt to catch up. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025 Advertisement But dishonesty of this nature does not yield good art—at least, not truthful art. Esther Lin, Time, 12 June 2025 The arrival of sophisticated AI might, at first glance, seem like a threat to genuine learning, potentially reducing the need for deep thought or even enabling widespread academic dishonesty. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishonesty

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dishonesty was in 1589

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Cite this Entry

“Dishonesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dishonesty. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dishonesty

noun
dis·​hon·​es·​ty (ˈ)dis-ˈän-ə-stē How to pronounce dishonesty (audio)
: lack of honesty : the quality of being dishonest

More from Merriam-Webster on dishonesty

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