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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 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 Open-minded, passionate, forthright and brave, Eva is well-educated, well-read, adventurous, generous of spirit, a world-traveler. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 June 2026 The singer-songwriter’s forthright and wistful new record, Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me, is an exercise in revisitation that yields expanding, not diminishing, returns. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026 The editors are also forthright in discussing the paradox this argument creates. — Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for forthright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthright

Adjective

Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Wahab's victory marks another win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which is marked by candidates outspoken against Israel.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of outspoken

Adjective

For any brand looking to steady its input costs and protect its production lines from geopolitical shocks, the case is straightforward.

— Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Paramount is seeking a bond based on the straightforward calculation of the maximum potential ticking consideration and financing costs from this litigation.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

Attracting and training game officials, to be honest, isn’t the job of the CIF office but of the various regional officials associations that assign them.

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
Set in 2009, the film follows two TV reporters forced into a dirty election campaign for a pro-Russian candidate who struggle to stay honest with their work and the people.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Unveiled amid the high-octane glamour and pristine lawns of the Monterey Car Week in California, the Lucid Gravity GT-S is a direct assault on the most lucrative auto segment in North America.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Unlike countries like Morocco, Egypt and China, Kenya provides limited direct subsidies to cushion electricity prices.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

In the interview, Rubio appeared relaxed, candid and funny – very different from his usual public appearances.

— Nicole Russell, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Ford, even more than Antonioni, renders characters’ social context both intellectually and dramatically explicit by way of extensive, florid, candid, confrontational dialogue.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of candid

Adjective

Grande, for one, opted for an off-white and oversized fuzzy Amomento cardigan, worn over straight-leg blue jeans with white Sandy Liang patent ballet pumps and red socks.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2026
Auxerre gave away two penalties and also played most of the match with 10 men after defender Christ Makosso was shown a straight red card for a foul on Abadallah Sima in the 35th minute.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of straight

Adjective

Pierre and Jagannathan’s scenes have a charge enhanced by their characters’ age gap and frank conversations about navigating the overwhelmingly white Rushville.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
The crumbling institution makes an appropriately strange backdrop for a romp that mixes madcap antics, tangled romantic relationships, and the frank, sometimes enthusiastically gross sexuality that is one of Waller-Bridge’s signatures.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026