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 Overall, Savitt’s tactics have elicited responses that The Verge reported made Musk appear dishonest and hot-tempered to the jury. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026 If the dishonest ballot language is approved, at least county residents have reasons to hope state courts will protect them. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for dishonest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonest
Adjective
  • Martin suggested that other Republicans are circulating equally misleading mailers, but that the party is targeting DeMaio.
    Andrew Graham May 15, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
  • The show has already done these misleading posters, including one where Homelander floats in space, watching nukes go off on Earth below.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • As fraudulent accounts and collections are removed, your credit score should begin to recover.
    Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
  • Upon being taken into custody, officials said Werstine confessed to his true identity after he was allegedly found with fraudulent documentation and admitted to entering Panama illegally in 2005.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • On May 14, Dana Williamson, a former top aide to Newsom and onetime Becerra political adviser, pleaded guilty in federal court after accepting a plea deal to multiple charges, including committing bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and lying to the FBI.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Dana Williamson, former top aide to Newsom, pleaded guilty in an FBI corruption probe to bank fraud, filing a false tax return and lying to the FBI.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Some free-speech experts at the time felt Disney had a chance to win that case, which revolved around erroneous statements made by ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
  • Spoofing relies on transmitting false signals that mimic authentic satellite signals to trick signal receivers into calculating erroneous positions for aircraft and other users.
    Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • The plaintiffs in the California suit claim they were misled by deceptive labeling when purchasing the product more than a dozen times in California stores.
    Itzel Luna, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
  • Patel’s complaint against FanDuel includes claims for negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, conspiracy, and deceptive and unfair trade practices.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 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
  • Davis gave up the first run of the game, a 412-foot solo home run by Cameron Gurney in the top of the fourth inning, that was followed by a double that could have started a crooked inning for the Utes, but Davis picked off the runner at second base.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 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.
    Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • Since 2019, state law has required law enforcement agencies that employ POST certificate holders to notify the board if a certificate holder knowingly made an untruthful statement during an internal affairs investigation, among other circumstances.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Dishonest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonest. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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