Synonyms of dishonest

dishonest

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst 

1

as in misleading

telling or containing lies

I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows

dishonest statements on the claims form

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misleading
• erroneous
• mendacious
• untruthful
• lying
• false
• hypocritical
• untrue
• fallacious
• insincere
• hypocrite
• perjurious
• two-faced
• double-dealing
• smooth-tongued
• mealymouthed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honest
• truthful
• open
• true
• straightforward
• sincere
• candid
• earnest
• moral
• conscientious
• scrupulous
• veracious
• reliable
• trustworthy
• principled
• plainspoken
• dependable
• ethical
• honorable
• virtuous
• righteous
• respectable
• straight
• decent
• trusty
• upright
• just
• trustable
• upstanding
• right-minded

2

as in fraudulent

given to or marked by cheating and deception

dishonest car dealers who roll back mileage gauges

dishonest business deals that landed him in jail

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fraudulent
• deceptive
• crooked
• shady
• duplicitous
• false
• rogue
• underhanded
• fast
• shifty
• underhand
• bent
• unscrupulous
• unethical
• guileful
• deceitful
• artful
• unprincipled
• sharp
• double-dealing
• treacherous
• deceiving
• unconscionable
• cunning
• subtle
• delusive
• crafty
• wily
• sly
• slick
• slippery
• cagey
• sneaky
• devious
• perfidious
• beguiling
• insidious
• delusory
• tricky
• furtive
• deluding
• foxy
• defrauding
• trickish
• sneaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honest
• straight
• ethical
• honorable
• conscientious
• scrupulous
• decent
• just
• upright
• aboveboard
• forthright
• straightforward

3

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

• fraudulent
• false
• deceptive
• deceitful
• misleading
• crooked
• duplicitous
• defrauding
• double-dealing
• specious
• deceiving
• fallacious
• delusive
• beguiling
• delusory
• deluding
• spurious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honest
• truthful
• true
• legitimate
• valid
• aboveboard

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

Recent Examples of dishonest

If a claim is substantiated, the plagiarist is seen as sloppy or lazy at best, and fundamentally dishonest at worst. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

But pretending botanical kratom can’t cause dependence is also dishonest. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Under state law, a court can remove a director for fraud, dishonest acts or breach of duty in a case the attorney general can bring. — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

His costly miscalculation exploded into a life-and-death war fiasco that an incompetent and dishonest administration is now incapable of ending. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026