Definition of dishonestnext
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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 But Marking alleges, according to documents obtained by The Bee, that the board and former Superintendent Lisa Allen were well aware of the district’s financial picture when the contract was approved and that trustees have been dishonest about it in the months since. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026 Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one. Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026 The election took place amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency. Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 Sunday's election took place as the country experiences a surge in violent crime and corruption, fueling widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency. Arkansas Online, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dishonest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonest
Adjective
  • Despite the misleading context and language, 46% of Virginians voted against the amendment.
    Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
  • Suggesting that law enforcement needs to monitor the movements of the entire population to solve crimes is both misleading and historically false.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • EquityProtect reports that reversing a fraudulent title costs victims up to $150,000 in legal fees.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
  • Now, rather than fall in line with the stereotypical notions of Housewifedom, Rusch leans into her quirks and remains unflappable no matter what her castmates throw her way — from claiming her divorce was fraudulent to criticizing her potato salad.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • The boy’s mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, of Aliso Viejo, was arrested days after the accident and charged with child endangerment, accessory after the fact, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer.
    Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • The boy’s mother, 50-year-old Tommi Jo Mejer of Aliso Viejo, was later arrested and charged with felony child endangerment, being an accessory after the fact and several misdemeanors, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • This act interferes greatly with local departments of planning and development for erroneous climate protocols enacted by Ronald Regan.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
  • In banking, an erroneous decision affects a transaction.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Charted on an outdated seating map weeks before the official on-sale date, these deceptive listings falsely suggested the performance was almost sold out.
    Lori Dimun, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
  • There is a broader issue of manufacturers selling dangerous products and promoting them with deceptive advertising to lure youth into using their dangerous, ineffective products.
    Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • The 2026 State of the Union speech stands in contrast, a speech by a mendacious demagogue who has degraded his listeners by debauching their instincts.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation.
    Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Giuliani was elected New York’s mayor in 1993 after serving as one of the nation’s highest-profile prosecutors, taking on mobsters and crooked Wall Street traders.
    Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • Giuliani was elected New York’s mayor in 1993 after serving as one of the nation’s highest-profile prosecutors, taking on mobsters and crooked Wall Street traders.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
Adjective
  • These questions were raised after reporting by The New York Times in August 2024 regarding Moore’s untruthful claims about receiving the Bronze Star in Afghanistan — a story originally reported on in 2022 by FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
  • In his earlier testimony on Thursday morning, Espinoza told Wise County District Attorney James Stainton that Horner had been untruthful throughout the investigative process.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dishonest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonest. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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