as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
his directness is much appreciated by his patients
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directness
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
At one point, MacLachlan orchestrates a heart-stopping moment of reckoning for Bill and Tammy, written with a sudden, cathartic directness—a break in their usual language of deferential hesitations—which the actors underplay to perfection.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directness
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
At one point, MacLachlan orchestrates a heart-stopping moment of reckoning for Bill and Tammy, written with a sudden, cathartic directness—a break in their usual language of deferential hesitations—which the actors underplay to perfection.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directness
Noun
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Rose, who's written for Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, praised Yearwood's instinct and honesty.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
17 Oct. 2025
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But outside the Manhattan martini lunches, Cattrall brings some of that same honesty to her own journey.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Several applauded Clark’s transparency and sincerity.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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Critics after the screening agreed that when given a character perfectly tailored to his strengths (cocky sincerity, charismatic twerpiness), Timmy is a live wire.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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There’s been a bluntness all season to the Hermits’ chats that ordinarily might grate on me.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For parents, the name of the game is forthrightness.—
Nona Han,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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The commentary and candor reflected in these conversations are an indication of the types of new narratives that can and will take center stage as female athletes begin to have more ownership and autonomy.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
13 Oct. 2025
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They were granted anonymity for their candor.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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