1
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
she sometimes was a little too forthright for her own good and ended up saying things that inadvertently offended people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
I appreciate your forthright explanation of the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forthright
At twenty-seven, Fuentes was arguably America’s most prominent white nationalist—someone who was forthright about, and seemingly proud of, his bigotry.
—
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
There’s no question San Diego officials for decades weren’t always forthright about providing services without the means to fully pay for them.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Surrounded by piles of files and notes, Hersh is forthright.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
And Hefner was expansive, social, forthright—a national institution—not to mention a very likable guy, and as close to middle-class respectability as a person who wore pajamas instead of clothes and regularly participated in orgies could be.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forthright
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
There’s no question San Diego officials for decades weren’t always forthright about providing services without the means to fully pay for them.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Surrounded by piles of files and notes, Hersh is forthright.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
And Hefner was expansive, social, forthright—a national institution—not to mention a very likable guy, and as close to middle-class respectability as a person who wore pajamas instead of clothes and regularly participated in orgies could be.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forthright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthright
Adjective
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Aside from suave showmanship and feel-good Latin rhythms, the outspoken singer paid tribute to his Latino heritage and Puerto Rican history during his performance.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Beijing’s national security law has transformed Hong Kong, with authorities jailing dozens of dissidents; forcing civil society groups and outspoken media outlets to disband; and neutering the city’s once-raucous political scene.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The math was straightforward; get rid of Perardi, pay off the debt.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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If so, keep it straightforward with east-facing for sunrise and west-facing for sunsets.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But these songs are also honest, sometimes despite themselves, about the feelings of impotence associated with watching history play out on a screen.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
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At least Mamdani was honest and campaigned as a socialist.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Beyond direct employment, Meta is launching a Boone County-wide workforce development initiative through the Boone County Career Collaborative.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
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Nobody would have been surprised to hear Bad Bunny use one of the year’s biggest stages to levy direct condemnation of the administration’s dehumanizing bigotry.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The fifth commissioner, John Herbst, the only one who voted not to hire Williams nearly a year ago, has been candid with her.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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In a candid conversation with actress Jameela Jamil, Lewinsky opened up about trauma, public shaming and surviving one of the most infamous scandals in modern American history.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And the Lakers had to play OKC with their own MVP candidate, Luka Doncic, sitting out for the second straight game with a left hamstring strain.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Calgary Flames have the longest streak, with 16 straight appearances.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Don't forget to snap a photo of your beef frank or corn dog below the trademark signage.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Jan. 2026
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That’s why Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, was so well received in Davos, delivering a frank acknowledgment that the international order maintained by American power was over.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forthright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forthright. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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