FORTHRIGHT Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

forthright

adjective

ˈfȯrth-ˌrīt

Definition of forthright

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in straightforward

going straight to the point clearly and firmly I appreciate your forthright explanation of the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 forthright Lorde’s and Parker’s letters are forthright and funny from the start, but the other writers are reticent and polite at first. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 German punditry can be forthright. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026 More screen time is given over to her burgeoning friendship with firebrand suffragette Mary, played by singer Lily Allen in a deliberately anachronistic performance — her forthright speech and manner beamed in directly from the 21st century. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for forthright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthright

Adjective

The editing skews toward older candidates, working parents and outspoken candidates, none of it visible before any check starts.

— Houman Akhavan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Over lunch at the Santa Clara Hilton — a short drive from 49ers headquarters — Edwards shared about the plights of outspoken athletes such as Wilma Rudolph, Jesse Owens, Rose Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Tommie Smith, John Carlos and more.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of outspoken

Adjective

What might have been an exciting matchup between two power hitters was instead a straightforward drubbing, largely because Osaka couldn’t serve at full power.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Grab this straightforward daily workhorse for a solid $180 off.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

Rational, honest people understand that a part of her appeal is to middle America, particularly white people in middle America.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
There’s a lot in this film to be honest, but the first one that comes to mind is probably a moment where Tyler is leading his group in a conversation with the king for the first time.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

This year marks the first time the program will include workshops, giving aspiring writers direct access to Netflix content executives.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
But new ads for retatrutide continued showing up on Facebook, including ones that direct consumers to questionnaires hosted by Remedora.

— Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

The Amazing Spider-Man and Social Network actor previously got candid about portraying the executive who has helped spearhead the AI revolution.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
In the following photos, Justin is seen snuggling on the couch with his son, in another candid selfie with Hailey, and the post concludes with a photo of a golf club flanked by a bunch of golf balls.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of candid

Adjective

For the first time, Zvyagintsev made a movie outside of Russia, moving Minotaur’s production to Latvia to stand in for a brutally frank portrait of his homeland at the dawn of the Ukraine war.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Despite her designs’ frank sensuality, all the harnesses and black leather, her real kink is Hermès’s craftsmanship.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026