frank 1 of 3

frank

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noun

frank

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word frank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of frank are candid, open, and plain. While all these words mean "showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks," frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

When is it sensible to use candid instead of frank?

Although the words candid and frank have much in common, candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

How does the word open relate to other synonyms for frank?

Open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

When might plain be a better fit than frank?

The words plain and frank can be used in similar contexts, but plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

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 frank
Adjective
Tuchel underlined this was a whole new era with some very frank comments on Thursday about England’s struggles at Euro 2024. Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 Meghan Markle’s new podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder, is officially here, and the Duchess of Sussex opens the series with a frank conversation with her friend, Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd. Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
All-beef frank topped with yellow mustard and sauerkraut or sautéed onions in tomato paste. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 Competitors were not allowed to dunk or pour water on the hot dogs, or separate the beef franks from their buns, with penalties levied for excess crumbs and regurgitation. Rishikesh Rajagopalan, CBS News, 2 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for frank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frank
Adjective
  • Beyond her pioneering achievements behind the wheel, Levitt was also an inventor, a royal driving instructor, a suffragette and an outspoken writer.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The actor has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and particularly transgender women.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Earlier this month, the company announced a new dress code policy for baristas, requiring them to stick to a solid black top to enhance the signature green apron.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • The Li-Ning contract also guaranteed minimum cash compensation and included both royalty payments tied to the number of sales of Turner’s signature shoe and bonuses based on Turner’s on-court performance.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The sausage or weiner is dipped in a batter made of bread crumbs rather than cornmeal, and often paired with melty cheese and sometimes even squid ink.
    Sara Murphy, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Join Downtown Brentwood for this celebration featuring a Sierra Nevada biergarten, live music by Alpine Sound, delicious German cuisine, carnival and beer stein games, a weiner dog costume parade and an Oktoberfest market with local vendors.
    Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • Notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on June 9, 2025.
    Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 9, 2025.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But only if leaders have the appetite for that kind of honest data.
    Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This was an honest error and was not intentional in any way.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Offerings available in the 401(k) market include the John Hancock Stable Value Return Trust and MissionSquare PLUS Fund.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Revere lit his lantern and made the ride to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams of their impending arrests and to help defend the American colonies.
    Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Americans didn’t invent the hot dog, but the nation’s German immigrants refined the wiener from Vienna and frankfurter from Frankfurt to a preferred game-day cuisine.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • According to Advertising Week, the 27-foot-long Wienermobile had its launch as a slightly smaller four-wheel frankfurter designed and constructed to appear in parades for promotion for the Oscar Mayer Meat Company.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The pop star, 31, posted a video of an interaction between himself, his team and a group of photographers late Thursday night.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Read: Netanyahu doesn’t want the truth to come out Six hours after Bar’s document was released, Netanyahu posted a response on social media.
    Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Frank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frank. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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