truthful

adjective

truth·​ful ˈtrüth-fəl How to pronounce truthful (audio)
: telling or disposed to tell the truth
a truthful witness
truthfully adverb
truthfulness noun

Example Sentences

We were not entirely truthful with her about where we went last night. I like keeping the house clean but, to be truthful, I hate vacuuming.
Recent Examples on the Web Admittedly, there are no perfect questions, and interviewers are clearly wired to present the organization in the best light possible, but even minimally ethical interviewers should feel some responsibility to be reasonably truthful. Dana Brownlee, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023 And McConnell was being truthful. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 16 Dec. 2022 Stay positive yet truthful. Annie Lane, oregonlive, 16 Apr. 2023 That’s denying the kind of pull on my life, which is to be truthful, vulnerable, and give in to the whims of what my creative spirit wants to say. Michelle Guerrero, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023 The objects’ donors, many of whom send in the objects by mail, are kept anonymous, an attempt to encourage them to be truthful. Alex Marshall, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2023 He's contributed so much to our situation just in terms of setting examples, mentoring, being very positive, being very truthful. Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Feb. 2023 Cordell learns that Grey Flag may still have him as a target; Captain James learns that Cordell and Cassie were less than truthful; Trey find himself in hot water. Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023 Namely, managers who listen to them and respect their input and suggestions, managers who are truthful, transparent, and communicate clearly, managers who provide support when needed, managers who care about them personally and professionally, and managers who recognize and praise a job well done. Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'truthful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truthful was circa 1567

Dictionary Entries Near truthful

Cite this Entry

“Truthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truthful. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

truthful

adjective
truth·​ful ˈtrüth-fəl How to pronounce truthful (audio)
: telling or being in the habit of telling the truth
truthfully adverb
truthfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on truthful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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