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as in false
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value dishonest appraisals of art works that were part of an elaborate scheme to defraud insurance companies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dishonest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dishonest are deceitful, mendacious, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than dishonest?

While the synonyms deceitful and dishonest are close in meaning, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When might mendacious be a better fit than dishonest?

The words mendacious and dishonest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

When could untruthful be used to replace dishonest?

The words untruthful and dishonest can be used in similar contexts, but untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

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 dishonest No wonder de Lesseps became a national pariah whose name was synonymous with dishonest incompetence. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025 These are cheap, dishonest shots against a great intellect, acknowledged by friends and opponents alike. James Gaylord, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025 Industry groups insist that they are committed to weeding out dishonest companies that make false claims or sell dangerous products. Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025 Such attempts are dangerous not only for being dishonest but also for missing aspects of customer quality, without which businesses risk falling into the low-price trap. Mindaugas Čaplinskas, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishonest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonest
Adjective
  • This, in turn, creates a feedback loop where accurate, trustworthy information is rewarded while low-quality or potentially misleading content loses influence.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The idea is to prevent ads containing false or misleading material that can potentially hurt someone.
    Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Andrew Wheatley, minister without portfolio in the prime minister’s office, said the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team has identified more than two dozen fraudulent hurricane relief websites attempting to divert contributions and donations from legitimate sources.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Following a 2023 trial, a Florida jury found the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital liable for false imprisonment, battery, fraudulent billing, wrongful death and intentional infliction of emotional distress — allegations by Kowalski's family that were documented in the Netflix documentary.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Several residents who work in the Georgia King Village area weighed in on the incident, including Harriette Guity, who told News12 that false reports based on AI could stretch first responders thin.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Archaeologists concluded the structure was actually a false tomb, or a cenotaph, a type of burial monument erected to honor a deceased person buried elsewhere.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • So that's completely erroneous.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Grokipedia also contains some erroneous statements.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court on Tuesday, brings claims for deceptive practices and false advertising, among others.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The complaints allow the public to report unfair or deceptive business practices, according to the agency’s website, and can prompt investigations from the office.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • President Trump is mendacious, vengeful, and unscrupulous.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • At Comedy Central, Colbert rose to prominence playing a slightly exaggerated version of Bill O’Reilly and other unapologetically mendacious Fox News pundits from the George W. Bush years.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • After a disastrous attempt at bedding Minde’s ex-girlfriend Edita (Vaidilė Juozaitytė), our flat-top sporting hero with a crooked smile meets Monika (Digna Kulionytė), an ambitious, studious beauty from the middle-class area of town.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Another crooked number against the Dodgers’ bullpen in the seventh inning cemented a 6-2 Game 4 victory that evened the World Series at two games apiece.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Officers making contact with Hyatt noted an odor of intoxicants, staggering gait, confusion and illogical, untruthful responses to questions, according to the motion.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The deficient vice of integrity is being fake, untruthful, inconsistent, unprincipled, and manipulative.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dishonest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonest. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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