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
There’s no shortage of fine places to find some franks around Fort Worth. Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025 However, many of the items on our list — such as seedless watermelon, hamburger buns, skinless beef franks and condiments — can be found at these stores. Evan Moore june 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 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 See All Example Sentences for frank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frank
Adjective
  • Costco has been an outspoken advocate of DEI, choosing not to flounder under pressure from DEI opponents, and has seen a net increase in sales, which many attribute to their doubling down of DEI.
    Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Other companies are more outspoken about changing their products for the purpose of health.
    Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Near the barrel, the remnants of the Rawlings logo on the ball and commissioner Rob Manfred’s signature were there from his first home run.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Accessories have always been part of Dap’s signature, and this night was no exception.
    Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Neon lights bathed the arena as fans dressed as hot dogs, hamburgers, pharaohs and candy canes danced in their seats to the bass ricocheting from body to body.
    Bryan West, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Wheeler donned a paper hat and a black apron to pitch boxes of popcorn and handing out hot dogs.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • After exchanging Facebook messages, Volk mailed the wallet to Guilford's home in Petersburg, Michigan.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Earlier this year, the IRS mailed checks to those who missed the RRC in 2021 (returns filed in 2022, for stimulus checks related to COVID).
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The point is to be honest with parents and the people tasked with running our schools about how the system is doing. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Find two people, no more, who can be brutally honest with you, yet love you enough to speak gently.
    Pankaj Vasani, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Aside from Revere, John Hancock and Samuel Adams are there.
    Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 July 2025
  • Don’t expect to just open your checkbook, scrawl your John Hancock, and then jump behind the bar and start running the place.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Frankfurter-eating champ Joey Chestnut regained his top dog title today by consuming 70 (and a half) wieners at the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, Brooklyn.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 July 2025
  • Chestnut, 41, consumed 70½ hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, falling short of his 2021 record of 76 wieners and buns.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • According to the lawsuit, school officials were also monitoring what the mother posted to social media about the incident and shared screenshots of the mother's Facebook comments with each other.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 23 Aug. 2025
  • This season, Detroit hitters are posting a combined .739 OPS (on-base plus slugging) and .249 batting average.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Frank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frank. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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