Synonyms of frank

frank 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfraŋk 

as in outspoken

free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions

our ballet teacher is very frank about telling her students whether she thinks they have the talent for a career in dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outspoken
• honest
• candid
• forthright
• straightforward
• forthcoming
• direct
• vocal
• open
• blunt
• plain
• up-front
• unreserved
• unguarded
• straight
• plainspoken
• openhearted
• earnest
• out-front
• sincere
• naive
• free-spoken
• unaffected
• real
• guileless
• ingenuous
• naïve
• outgoing
• uninhibited
• unpretentious
• artless
• unpretending
• foursquare
• freehearted
• rude
• innocent
• curt
• vociferous
• gruff
• brusque
• unrestrained
• abrupt
• bluff
• tactless
• crusty
• undiplomatic
• natural
• undesigning
• thoughtless
• sharp
• unsubtle
• impolite
• ungracious
• impertinent
• brusk
• unmannerly
• inconsiderate
• uncivil

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrained
• quiet
• inhibited
• laconic
• reticent
• reserved
• ambiguous
• unforthcoming
• evasive
• taciturn
• uncandid
• uncommunicative
• tactful
• dissembling
• diplomatic
• equivocal
• circuitous
• polite
• civil
• politic
• courteous
• tight-lipped
• close-mouthed
• considerate

frank

2 of 3

noun

1

as in signature

Related Words

• signature
• John Hancock
• mark
• autograph
• hand
• indorsement
• endorsement
• countersign

2

as in hot dog

Related Words

• hot dog
• wiener
• frankfurter
• weiner
• bologna
• weenie
• salami
• knackwurst
• liver sausage
• knockwurst
• pepperoni
• liverwurst
• kielbasa
• Vienna sausage
• sausage
• liver pudding
• blood pudding
• wurst
• link
• banger
• wienerwurst
• blood sausage

frank

3 of 3

verb

as in to mail

Related Words

• mail
• post
• forward
• address
• airmail
• route
• direct
• ship
• consign
• transmit
• remit
• dispatch
• register
• transport

Dissimilar Words

• get
• receive

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

Recent Examples of frank

Adjective

As for the women's competition this year, Miki Sudo scored her 11th Nathan's Famous title after downing 33 franks — falling below her 2024 record of 51. —Logan Holland, People.com, 4 July 2025

There’s no shortage of fine places to find some franks around Fort Worth. —Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025

Noun

Mailers Both parties also used franking privileges to send mail to constituents. —Brittany Carloni, IndyStar, 11 Aug. 2025

Verb

For a pre-revolutionary season in 1977, liberals signed letters and staged poetry readings that criticized the government in increasingly frank terms. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

To be frank, many of the early devices on the market weren't very good—Valve’s Steam Deck kicked off a wave of PC manufacturers looking to compete with the Nintendo Switch, but many of the offerings were rushed, buggy, or just not a great way to play games. —Brad Bourque, Wired News, 4 Aug. 2025