FORTHRIGHTNESS Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

forthrightness

noun

as in honesty

the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions I valued her forthrightness in telling me she didn't like being called "Susie"

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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 forthrightness Alvarado has had to address that in the wake of the film’s release, and perhaps that forthrightness has aided the box office. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Your forthrightness will set the tone for future dates. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026 There’s something both startling and seductive about such forthrightness. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026 To say we are disappointed by the lack of urgency and forthrightness from the city attorney’s office is an understatement. — City News Service, Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026 Fortune spoke with six people who have invested in Anthropic to get a sense of how this key constituency is feeling about the situation, and found that opinions were not unified despite the company’s longstanding forthrightness about its values. — Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2026 Monique’s penchant for forthrightness, almost to the point of abruptness, is what makes her reintegration to the cast fascinating already. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025 For parents, the name of the game is forthrightness. — Nona Han, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025 The elections have vindicated Move Forward’s forthrightness, confirming that citizens want a national conversation about the monarchy. — Tamara Loos, Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthrightness

Noun

Making good on his promise in The Holdovers, Dominic Sessa is excellent in the role, nailing the contradictory aspects of a slippery character while mapping his coming-of-age arc with empathy and honesty.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
An honesty first, the kind the easy version of this argument would skip.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of honesty

Noun

But perhaps the performance that lingers most in our minds is that of Elliot Page, 39, who in just a few short scenes anchors the film with his guileless sincerity and righteous anger.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
In a testament to that sincerity, Neil Young had the Stop Shopping Choir open for him on his 2024 tour.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of sincerity

Noun

While Arsenal’s directness from last summer’s friendlies did not stick, the Rice-Zubimendi partnership did, showing how important these warm-up matches can be.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Advertisement In recent years, Warwick has also become beloved by younger generations for the directness that has defined her public persona.

— Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026

Definition of directness

Noun

Their snobbery is juxtaposed with Carney’s friend and colleague Pepper’s unsettling bluntness and eyeball to eyeball stare.

— Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Tshabalala’s bluntness about the economic cost is the rare honest signal here; business will not be pacified by euphemisms.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of bluntness

Noun

But the Windows handheld software experience on the Claw is just awful compared to the straightforwardness of SteamOS on the Steam Deck.

— Jay Peters, The Verge, 23 June 2026
On Monday morning, Starmer, whose resignation has appeared inevitable for some time, delivered the news with his customary straightforwardness.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Definition of straightforwardness

Noun

Monica Lewinsky's tribute to Lindsey Graham following his death sparked interest across the aisles, not only for her respectful candor, but also served as a reminder of the late senator's impact on history.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
A number of factors will shape that decision, according to multiple executives across the league and in the organization who were granted anonymity in exchange for candor.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of candor

Noun

Her political outspokenness and fearlessness in challenging the danger women face in flaunting their sexuality, particularly in her native Argentina, is one of her strengths, as is her ability to imagine a new world where that violence doesn’t exist.

— E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
His outspokenness has spurred discourse among country music's Republican-leaning audience.

— Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of outspokenness

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forthrightly

forthrightness

forthwith

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“Forthrightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forthrightness. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of forthrightness

noun

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