good faith

noun

Definition of good faith

: honesty or lawfulness of purpose

Examples of good faith in a Sentence

You have no right to question my good faith.

Recent Examples on the Web DeWine said this method somewhat relied on Ohioans to act in good faith when confirming their ailment. — cleveland, "Ohio will expand eligibility for coronavirus vaccine to those with high-risk medical conditions beginning next week," 11 Feb. 2021 The experts repeatedly praised their Chinese counterparts, saying the government had worked in good faith to grant access to important sites, including laboratories and markets. — Javier C. Hernández, BostonGlobe.com, "China scores a public relations win after WHO mission to Wuhan," 9 Feb. 2021 In Illinois' agreement with Michigan, Illinois will spend its $2.5 million first in good faith before accessing Michigan's funds, Wobig said. — Elyse Kelly, Washington Examiner, "Illinois, Michigan join forces to stop Asian carp invasion in Great Lakes," 25 Jan. 2021 President Joe Biden could remain ambivalent on ending the filibuster rule, and continue to reiterate his belief that Republicans will come to the table and negotiate in good faith. — Alex Pareene, The New Republic, "Democrats Can Preach “Unity” and Still Kill the Filibuster," 23 Jan. 2021 But a lack of good faith and an unwillingness to embark on compromises that might lead either side out of their political comfort zones have helped keep another rescue package on ice. — Arkansas Online, "Congress returns with virus aid, federal funding unresolved," 30 Nov. 2020 Raffensperger did, however, call for a hand recount of the presidential vote, as a show of good faith to his own party. — Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, "Arizona’s GOP attorney general rejects Trump’s unfounded voter fraud claims: ‘There is no evidence’," 11 Nov. 2020 The ignorance afforded by distance allowed many Irish Americans of good faith to draw a simple analogy between George Washington and the Minute Men on the one hand, and Gerry Adams and the IRA on the other. — Cameron Hilditch, National Review, "Biden Is Wrong on Ireland and Brexit," 20 Sep. 2020 The Afghan government balked at releasing 5,000 Taliban prisoners, which was stipulated in the deal as a sign of good faith ahead of the negotiations. — Kathy Gannon And Aya Batrawy, The Christian Science Monitor, "Afghan peace talks: Face-to-face negotiations launched," 14 Sep. 2020

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

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Last Updated

26 Feb 2021

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“Good faith.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/good%20faith. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for good faith

good faith

noun

English Language Learners Definition of good faith

: honesty in dealing with other people

See the full definition for good faith in the English Language Learners Dictionary

good faith

noun

Legal Definition of good faith

: honesty, fairness, and lawfulness of purpose : absence of any intent to defraud, act maliciously, or take unfair advantage filed the suit in good faith negotiating in good faith — see also good faith exception, good faith purchaser — compare bad faith

Note: The meaning of good faith, though always based on honesty, may vary depending on the specific context in which it is used. A person is said to buy in good faith when he or she holds an honest belief in his or her right or title to the property and has no knowledge or reason to know of any defect in the title. In section 1-201 of the Uniform Commercial Code good faith is defined generally as “honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing.” Where recent U.C.C. amendments have not been adopted, this definition is found in Article 3 on negotiable instruments (and applies to Article 4 on bank deposits and collections and Article 4A on funds transfers), while Article 2 on sales defines it as “honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of dealing in the trade.” Article 5 (letters of credit), as amended, defines it as “honesty in fact in the conduct or transaction concerned.” The U.C.C. imposes an obligation of good faith on the performance of every contract or duty under its purview. The law also generally requires good faith of fiduciaries and agents acting on behalf of their principals. There is also a requirement under the National Labor Relations Act that employers and unions bargain in good faith.