sincere

adjective

sin·​cere sin-ˈsir 

sən-

sincerer; sincerest

1

a

: free of dissimulation : honest

a sincere interest

b

: free from adulteration : pure

a sincere doctrine

sincere wine

2

: marked by genuineness : true

sincereness noun

Synonyms of sincere

• genuine
• heartfelt
• unfeigned
• honest
• unaffected

Choose the Right Synonym for sincere

sincere, wholehearted, heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned mean genuine in feeling.

sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

Examples of sincere in a Sentence

He sounded sincere in his promises.

She seemed sincere in her commitment to finish school.

She has a sincere interest in painting.

He showed a sincere concern for her health.

He made a sincere attempt to quit smoking.

Please accept our sincere thanks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the actors' previous antics on the podcast, however, there's a big question mark over how sincere Glassman's new comments are. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026

Unlike Bankman-Fried, Yan cut an image that was more polished, professional, and sincere, according to a longtime crypto executive who’s met both founders. —Ben Weiss, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026

Courts could interpret that, or a jury could interpret as a mindset of trying to compel control or dominance over the situation rather than a sincere fear for his life. —Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

Cooper obviously longs for that era of storytelling to return—nobody could lob a sincere, big-feelings dramedy over the plate better than Crowe (Say Anything, Singles, and Jerry Maguire). —David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin sincerus whole, pure, genuine, probably from sem- one + -cerus (akin to Latin crescere to grow) — more at same, crescent

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sincere

• adhere
• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir

Kids Definition

sincere

adjective

sin·​cere sin-ˈsi(ə)r 

sincerer; sincerest

1

: trustworthy, straightforward

a sincere friend

2

: genuine sense 1, real

a sincere interest in painting

sincerely adverb

sincerity

-ˈser-ət-ē, 

-ˈsir-

noun