1
as in deceit
the tendency to tell lies
if you gain a reputation for dishonesty, no one will believe you even when you're telling the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
a religious cult that recruits members through dishonesty and subterfuge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dishonesty
His pardons also disproportionately favored crimes involving dishonesty, Osler wrote.
—
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Boone’s major crime is, rather than selling oil to a world hungry for it, an act of dishonesty—largely a lie of omission.
—Julius Taranto, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Done well, this shift not only limits dishonesty but also creates richer opportunities for students to demonstrate learning.
—Ulrich Boser, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
There was prevalent dishonesty.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dishonesty
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Boone’s major crime is, rather than selling oil to a world hungry for it, an act of dishonesty—largely a lie of omission.
—Julius Taranto, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Done well, this shift not only limits dishonesty but also creates richer opportunities for students to demonstrate learning.
—Ulrich Boser, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
There was prevalent dishonesty.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dishonesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonesty
Noun
-
Such deceit is incompatible with public service.—
Diana Paulsen,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2026
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But Prosecutor Ben Ladinig argued any grains of authenticity in Haobsh's life were far outweighed by deceit.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Comte’s feature directorial debut follows Quebec teenager Antoine, who travels to Ghana for a showdown with Kojo, a local gang member, amid an escalating game of deception.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Portage case is different, as the subcontractor and his co-conspirators are accused of deception in their failure to deliver the televisions to warehouses.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This latest news comes just a few weeks after Mayweather filed a lawsuit against Showtime Networks and the former president of Showtime Sports, accusing the company of helping facilitate a fraud scheme that deprived him of roughly $340 million in earnings.—
Matt Schubert,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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The complaint notes that since 2023, five former executive officers have been indicted on federal charges including embezzlement, conspiracy, coercion, insurance fraud and related crimes.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Through punches and pummeling, cheating and cursing, their bond remained (mostly) intact.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
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The pandemic had pushed many educators into burnout, but where others saw artificial intelligence as a threat—a technology that facilitated student cheating—Roberts saw a tool to help her survive.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Holding viewers by the throat for a handful of strong beats, even as the script slips through the entire cast’s fingers, the devilish actor sells Besson’s interpretation on charisma and cunning.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
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Strategy and cunning or physicality and grace?—
Zack Pierce,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dishonesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonesty. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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