CANDIDNESS Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

candidness

noun

Definition of candidness

as in honesty

the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions candidness is something that we claim to admire—except when we are on the receiving end of a brutally honest assessment

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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.

Recent Examples of candidness In conversation, Friedland is rapaciously curious, if slightly disorganized, prone to tangents that lead to a candidness that can verge on cringe or awkward. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 On May 29, Behar and her cohosts on The View reflected on recent comments from Rosie O'Donnell's about her facelift, praising her candidness. — Staff Author, InStyle, 29 May 2026 Some athletes early in this era proved that charisma and candidness coupled with their athletic skills could be highly lucrative. — Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026 The duo have become known for their candidness and light-hearted humor, frequently letting viewers in on the chaos of their real lives. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026 The title and author are set large in a text weight of Didot, echoing the candidness of the photo and the material. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025 Angela’s candidness on the season gave viewers a glimpse into her relationship with Charles, including the aftermath of the 2017 incident at Madison Square Garden and accusations of infidelity. — MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025 Praised for her dry candidness and direct attitude online, Bethenny Frankel isn’t one to fall victim to a viral trend or product trap. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025 The world sees the behavior but rarely the illness behind it; this is what makes Gucci’s candidness about his journey so critical. — Essence, 23 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidness

Noun

The host then praises the coach's honesty and the panel's grace.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Both help make the case that unfamous people, in all their honesty and complexity, are as worthy of our attention as celebrities.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of honesty

Noun

Toeing the line between sincerity and tongue-in-cheek humor, Edelman claims to have developed an obsession with contemporary Christian music after Smith invited him to a concert.

— Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
His sincerity, the fearlessness of trying—very hard and very publicly—is success in itself.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sincerity

Noun

As for the universality of her hypnotic, soulful sound and her dynamic, jazzy mezzo-soprano voice, Kidjo’s singing in five languages (Fon, French, Yorùbá, Gen-Mina and English) has forever been key to the funk, its frankness and her grace.

— A.D. Amorosi, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Hayden Panettiere, the child actor who rose to stardom in television and also spoke with raw frankness about her struggles with fame and mental health, died Sunday, according to her family.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of frankness

Noun

Similar is true of Dan Ndoye, the Swiss international, who has impressed Glasner with his pace and directness since returning from an extended break following World Cup duty.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Marius, approaching 50, is a big doctor in this provincial city, not just a surgeon but the director of the hospital, and a man who prides himself on his directness and honesty.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of directness

Noun

The Venezuela native never shied away from bluntness — and profanity — in assessing players, plays, games or whatever.

— CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Their snobbery is juxtaposed with Carney’s friend and colleague Pepper’s unsettling bluntness and eyeball to eyeball stare.

— Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of bluntness

Browse Nearby Words

candidly

candidness

candied

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“Candidness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidness. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of candidness

noun

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