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
  • Yurachek openly supported Dan Reed for the chancellor's job four years ago.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The nation also elected several historic firsts, including the first Muslim senator, the first openly gay male senator and the first Black female governor, in spite of Republican campaign attacks around identity.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of openly
Adverb
  • Perhaps the script is unduly tilted by Ramos’ drawling, sincerely beguiling delivery.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And incumbents can sincerely believe important work remains unfinished.
    — Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sincerely
Adverb
  • When a brand tells that kind of story honestly, its audience starts to cheer it on.
    — Kylie Slavik, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • So, honestly, no one should have been expecting to see the former Suits actress at any Remembrance Day events.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Nov. 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
  • While the use of AI in the filmmaking process remains a delicate topic in Hollywood, Wall Street has a more straightforwardly Darwinian view.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In her final Facebook post, Josée straightforwardly leaves a link to the time and place of her funeral.
    — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of straightforwardly
Adverb
  • And while reports of offset drama have gained traction, Acaster has plainly not enjoyed himself in that cloak.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The following year, a New York sportswriter named Aloysious Palma made the point plainly.
    — Zachary Kranc, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of plainly
Adverb
  • But that's not the case for VA loans, since the VA abruptly ended the program.
    — Quil Lawrence, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The chief executive of California’s High Speed Rail Authority abruptly resigned amid intensifying scrutiny over cost overruns, project delays and wasteful expenses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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