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

Examples of truthful in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
How important is that, to be truthful with things? Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2025 The changes apply only to teen-specific accounts, which are accounts that teens have created using their truthful birth dates or accounts that Instagram has determined through its own investigation are likely to be those of people under 18 years old. David Ingram, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025 Strong in your incredible talent; your truthful storytelling, passion, and inimitable, rich, soaring voice. Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025 Thorne’s adaptation is billed as truthful to the original novel – set in the early 1950s on an unnamed Pacific island – and will delve further into the book’s emotive themes; human nature, the loss of innocence and boyhood masculinity. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for truthful

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truthful was circa 1567

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Cite this Entry

“Truthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truthful. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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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