integrity

noun in·teg·ri·ty \ in-ˈte-grə-tē \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of integrity

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

2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness

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

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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 of integrity from the Web

The book adheres closely to Comey’s public testimony and written statements about his contacts with Trump and his growing concern about Trump’s integrity.

— Time, "James Comey Compares Donald Trump to a Mob Boss in Critical New Book," 13 Apr. 2018
The book adheres closely to Comey’s public testimony and written statements about his contacts with Trump and his growing concern about Trump’s integrity.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Fired FBI director Comey a ‘slime ball,’ Trump says," 13 Apr. 2018
The book adheres closely to Comey's public testimony and written statements about his contacts with Trump and his growing concern about Trump's integrity.

— chad day and jonathan lemire, chicagotribune.com, "James Comey compares Trump to mob boss in new book, Trump cries 'slime ball'," 13 Apr. 2018
Facebook’s current scandal is a crisis of data trust and integrity.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "The Dot-Coms Were Better Than Facebook," 13 Apr. 2018
Bash named the lead Uresti prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Blackwell, as his public integrity coordinator.

— guillermo contreras, San Antonio Express-News, "West Texas’ new chief law enforcement officer outlines priorities," 12 Apr. 2018
The book adheres closely to Comey's public testimony and written statements about his contacts with the president during the early days of the administration and his growing concern about the president's integrity.

— NBC News, "In new book, Comey says Trump 'untethered to truth'," 12 Apr. 2018
When pressed, Mitch McConnell praised Mueller's integrity but declined to protect the investigation from presidential interference on the grounds that McConnell doesn't believe that the president will fire him.

— jay willis, GQ, "Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell Aren't Going to Protect Robert Mueller," 10 Apr. 2018
When the public integrity unit completes the investigation, it will be sent to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for review and to decide if charges should be filed.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville Metro Police shot and killed a man Sunday in PRP. Here's what we know so far.," 9 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of integrity

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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integrity Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.