forthrightly

adverb

as in openly
in an honest and direct manner the police commissioner forthrightly and unhesitatingly admitted his mistake

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthrightly
  1. openly
  2. sincerely
  3. honestly
  4. straightforward
  5. straightforwardly
  6. plainly
  7. abruptly
Adverb
  • He’s been praised openly by his fellow receivers, cornerback Jaycee Horn and head coach Dave Canales over the past few days.
    — Mike Kaye July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • Spain has been openly pro-immigration even as some of its neighbors have pursued stricter policies.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Definition of openly
Adverb
  • Colquitt sincerely believes that her work can restore the dignity too often denied people in their last days.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • But the results and the action on the field were second to the experience for Baldwin, who was sincerely present in the moment during the two days of All-Star Game activities.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of sincerely
Adverb
  • The props team either hated me or loved me, honestly [laughs].
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
  • Start with what you cannot get answered honestly in the room.
    — Susan Laine, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • Through a layered and deeply nuanced performance, Cardellini transforms what could have been a straightforward femme fatale into a fiercely compelling protagonist.
    — Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
  • The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
Definition of straightforward
Adverb
  • Now, fresh off one of the most straightforwardly terrible albums of the decade, here comes the Muse Mothership again.
    — Liam Inscoe-Jones, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • Perhaps the cleanest rebuke of noisy nativism would be for England to win, and, if Tuchel can take that final step that eluded Southgate, he’ll be immortalized, too—perhaps in a prestige miniseries of his own, and a more straightforwardly triumphal one at that.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 June 2026
Definition of straightforwardly
Adverb
  • Offer the resource, name it plainly, and then return to the harder and simpler work of being present.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Name the conflict plainly, offer realistic timing, and protect the commitment that matters most today.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
Definition of plainly
Adverb
  • One leaves abruptly, her designer purse slamming against a bystander.
    — Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026
  • And, George, the Senate Judiciary Committee, back to Blanche, has rescheduled his confirmation vote for Tuesday after it was abruptly postponed last week.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of abruptly

Browse Nearby Words

forthright
forthrightly
forthrightness
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Cite this Entry

“Forthrightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forthrightly. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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