as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
the police commissioner forthrightly and unhesitatingly admitted his mistake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 forthrightly
Foley has been the one board member who has forthrightly stood up for oversight and accountability on every key issue.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Coming off the ice, Malinin forthrightly congratulated the winner, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, as if to communicate that Shaidorov won the prize from his own efforts, not from Malinin’s failure.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The appeals on stage spoke forthrightly about God, usually in explicitly Christian terms.
—Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025
This absolute confidentiality helps give penitents the confidence to approach confession forthrightly, without holding back.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
His exile, rather than marginalizing him, gave him the rare platform from which to speak forthrightly.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Coming off the ice, Malinin forthrightly congratulated the winner, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, as if to communicate that Shaidorov won the prize from his own efforts, not from Malinin’s failure.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The appeals on stage spoke forthrightly about God, usually in explicitly Christian terms.
—Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025
This absolute confidentiality helps give penitents the confidence to approach confession forthrightly, without holding back.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
His exile, rather than marginalizing him, gave him the rare platform from which to speak forthrightly.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthrightly
Adverb
-
Furthermore, a recent Financial Times investigation revealed that even when AI developers implement guardrails to prevent bad actors from misusing them, protections can be bypassed using openly available software tools in less than 10 minutes.—
Mohammad Hosseini,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
-
In the other room, Kayda is entertaining Bryce and Zach, who are openly drooling, and the scene could not look more like Challengers if Zendaya were playing Kayda.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
Basically, no matter how soap-y the show gets, Akerman permits the audience to buy into and sincerely enjoy the Hunting Wives ridiculousness.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Take a few extra moments to double-check your space, thank your host sincerely, and leave on a warm, unhurried note.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
22 May 2026
Adverb
-
The possibilities felt endless and, honestly, overwhelming.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
That story of American exceptionalism deserves to be told honestly and proudly.—
Kathy Szeliga,
Baltimore Sun,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
The moment seemed straightforward: two leaders visiting an industrial complex, shaking hands, smiling for the camera and making a nondescript speech or two.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The market's logic seemed straightforward: more efficient AI means less demand for chips, less demand for data centers, less demand for power.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
If Winifred is instantly, bizarrely offputting, her employers are more straightforwardly ghastly.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
The hero of Vidal’s novel is straightforwardly based on Hearst, while the wealthy, castle-dwelling Californian in Huxley’s novel bears a more veiled, but still unmistakable, resemblance to him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Adverb
-
The vision, stated plainly across multiple interviews, is a family office in which humans manage agents rather than do the work themselves.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
The bill would also dramatically reduce congressional oversight that the Secret Service so plainly needs.—
Patrick Eddington,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
Adverb
-
Last week, Pacifica residents were shocked when the city abruptly closed its iconic pier after cracks developed in its base.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
The order from Phelan, who abruptly departed his post in April, said the board should consider an officer’s performance, competence and character, among other traits, as part of those qualifications.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forthrightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forthrightly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
