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
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
Even a manager as forthright as Sean Dyche was doing it on the touchline at Nottingham Forest.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
If your goal is to get at the truth, or at least our closest approximation of it at the present time, the way to do that is to be scrupulous and forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of every link in your chain of argument.
—Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
Lighton presents it all with unvarnished honesty, allowing the tension and humor to bloom in the clash between Skarsgård’s forthright Scandinavian brusqueness, and Melling’s awkward British charm.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
In a forthright defense of the fighters under his command, the head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Forces, Robert Brovdi, said last week there needed to be a threefold increase in the number of drone operators.
—Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forthright
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
If your goal is to get at the truth, or at least our closest approximation of it at the present time, the way to do that is to be scrupulous and forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of every link in your chain of argument.
—Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
Lighton presents it all with unvarnished honesty, allowing the tension and humor to bloom in the clash between Skarsgård’s forthright Scandinavian brusqueness, and Melling’s awkward British charm.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
In a forthright defense of the fighters under his command, the head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Forces, Robert Brovdi, said last week there needed to be a threefold increase in the number of drone operators.
—Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forthright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthright
Adjective
-
The attempts to meet Conway were unsuccessful, prosecutors said, but added that the pair did arrange two meetings with Rubio, who is a longtime friend of Rivera's and had been an outspoken critic of the Maduro regime.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Bianco is an outspoken Trump supporter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On his first solo release in eight years, 100 gecs’ mutant-pop prankster turns his attention to relatively straightforward big-tent EDM—but not without a little noise-scene provocation.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Bottom line Gold bullion coins are one of the more straightforward ways to add physical gold to a portfolio, but the details matter.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Academically, no; the call for honest and accurate citation of one’s sources will, and must, ring out as forcefully as ever.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The show was described as an honest look at an oft-misunderstood job, according to an application for film incentives submitted to the state in May 2025 and reviewed by The News.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tehran, however, continues to deny any direct negotiations are taking place.—
Joseph Wilkins,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
His big break came when the Tar Heels hired him — a guy with direct connections to Air Force and Kansas, but not so much to UNC — to be an obscure assistant coach.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After exiting social media in 2024, Barry Keoghan recently got candid about the toll online abuse has taken on his career.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Despite high-profile politicians including former President Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic Democrat, being candid about their faith, Trone Garriott thinks part of the reason many Democrats have failed to engage certain religious groups is a discomfort in talking meaningfully about it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
McCutchen played his first nine years with the Pirates, making five straight All-Star teams from 2011-15.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The only other time that the Heat dropped five straight games this season came in December.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Pretty and profane, funny and frank, Paul amassed a large following.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
These are old friends with a difficult dynamic having a very frank discussion with each other.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forthright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forthright. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
