integrity

noun

in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈte-grə-tē 

1

: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility

personal/professional/academic integrity

Responsible sharing helps maintain the integrity of discussions around important topics and promotes a reliable culture of information exchange.

—Okla Jones

2

: an unimpaired condition : soundness

The earthquake may have damaged the building's structural integrity.

That part of the structure does not affect the integrity of the overall bridge.

—Stephanie Toone

3

: the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

Without music, the film loses its integrity.

Aristotle invented the idea of the unity of a work as defined by its plot. The plot as the soul of the work, the component that gives it its integrity and wholeness …

—Jonathan Arac, quoted in The New Yorker

Synonyms of integrity

• morality
• virtue
• honesty
• goodness
• character

Choose the Right Synonym for integrity

honesty, honor, integrity, probity mean uprightness of character or action.

honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Examples of integrity in a Sentence

Many were tempted by a piece of the equity action and compromised their integrity. —Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002

By September, Gorbachev had told his aides that with Eastern Europe and Germany lost, the task was to defend the integrity of the Soviet Union itself. —Condoleezza Rice, Newsweek, 22 Nov. 1999

But it is stunning to hear self-appointed watchdogs of public integrity shrug their shoulders at "standard" prosecutorial practice … —Wendy Kaminer, New York Times Book Review, 22 Mar. 1998

… a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist … donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark. —Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991

He's a man of the highest integrity.

I admire her artistic integrity.

She had the integrity to refuse to compromise on matters of principle.

Without music, the film loses its integrity.

They are trying to preserve the cultural integrity of the community.

The earthquake may have damaged the building's structural integrity.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her reputation for excellence and the utmost integrity is well-earned. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

But the Canucks need to maintain a baseline level of competitive and structural integrity, even in the midst of what’s likely to be a challenging campaign. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

When clinicians cannot verify the reasoning behind an AI response, the utility and integrity of clinical decisions come into question. — Rhett Alden, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Vote for the only person with experience and integrity in the attorney general race, Michael Allen. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

integrity

noun

in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈteg-rət-ē 

1

: the condition of being free from damage or defect

2

: total honesty and sincerity

3

: the quality or state of being complete or undivided

Medical Definition

integrity

noun

in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈteg-rət-ē 

plural integrities

: an unimpaired condition

personality function depends greatly upon the integrity of brain function

—Diagnostic & Statistical Manual