as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
his directness is much appreciated by his patients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 directness
But what makes the Kimmel affair different, and much more chilling, than the dismissal of Colbert is the directness and obviousness of the federal government’s interference.
—
Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
The remark was striking in its directness and suggested the pilot may have been inattentive at a critical moment.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
That directness empowers both parents and students to make sound choices.
—Joyce Marter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Anderson seemed thankful for his directness.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directness
Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
The remark was striking in its directness and suggested the pilot may have been inattentive at a critical moment.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
That directness empowers both parents and students to make sound choices.
—Joyce Marter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Anderson seemed thankful for his directness.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directness
Noun
-
The reshoots have even made some cinephiles question the honesty of their favorite critics.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Jesús, from a sense of honesty, truth, authenticity and Luis has that and incredible actor’s technique.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What skills — care, competence, sincerity, and reliability — are needed to strengthen the trust in these relationships?—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Grow your visibility by sharing with sincerity.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The recording of that release as depicted in the documentary is the balancing light to the overwhelming dark Osbourne experienced in his later years, a series of illnesses, hospitalizations, frustrations and ceaseless pain shown with unblinking frankness.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Collier, who was injured during the playoff series, read from a prepared statement that shocked everyone watching—if not for its contents, for its frankness.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In films like that, the cultural commentary comes more from metaphor than with the bluntness and directness of The Purge.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
-
There’s been a bluntness all season to the Hermits’ chats that ordinarily might grate on me.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For parents, the name of the game is forthrightness.—
Nona Han,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Her question, in Lipe-Smith’s inquisitive piccolo of a voice, is heartbreaking in its blend of straightforwardness and desperate desire, as is her mother’s wavering response.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her candor hasn’t been dented—this is a woman who clearly feels and cares deeply about the world.—
Helen Mirren,
Glamour,
27 Oct. 2025
-
For Bondi, the challenge now is restoring credibility with the judiciary and reaffirming the department’s duty of candor.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directness. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share