as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
considering her reputation for frankness, I knew she would tell me what she really thought of my dress
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Recent Examples of frankness
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off those comments as an example of the president’s frankness.
—
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
Their frankness and loyalty are also notable when the call is in.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
But despite its frankness, the show is more interested in ambition than in sexuality or gender relations.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The recording of that release as depicted in the documentary is the balancing light to the overwhelming dark Osbourne experienced in his later years, a series of illnesses, hospitalizations, frustrations and ceaseless pain shown with unblinking frankness.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Collier, who was injured during the playoff series, read from a prepared statement that shocked everyone watching—if not for its contents, for its frankness.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Though Roan is a total force on stage, polished and magnetic while trouncing around a set made to look like an illustrated fairytale castle, the show is not without her signature frankness.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2025
Meursault acquiesces but with a casually brutal frankness as to his motives, which have nothing to do with love.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Hilarious yet heartfelt, Mom offers a refreshing frankness not often seen in today's sitcoms.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
Their frankness and loyalty are also notable when the call is in.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
But despite its frankness, the show is more interested in ambition than in sexuality or gender relations.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The recording of that release as depicted in the documentary is the balancing light to the overwhelming dark Osbourne experienced in his later years, a series of illnesses, hospitalizations, frustrations and ceaseless pain shown with unblinking frankness.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Collier, who was injured during the playoff series, read from a prepared statement that shocked everyone watching—if not for its contents, for its frankness.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Though Roan is a total force on stage, polished and magnetic while trouncing around a set made to look like an illustrated fairytale castle, the show is not without her signature frankness.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2025
Meursault acquiesces but with a casually brutal frankness as to his motives, which have nothing to do with love.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Hilarious yet heartfelt, Mom offers a refreshing frankness not often seen in today's sitcoms.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frankness
Noun
-
The executives who will thrive in 2026 are those who understand that great storytelling is not just performance art, but strategic influence grounded in empathy, adaptability, and ruthless honesty about whether your message is landing.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Video-interview tools misread autistic communication, tics, or flat affect as a lack of interest or honesty.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Know that conversations deserve deep sincerity.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Part of what comes to me, Roxana, is my sincerity and my earnestness.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While not perfect, Johnson was involved in many of Palace’s best attacking moments and brought directness and purpose, qualities that have been lacking in their game since Ismaila Sarr left just before Christmas to play for Senegal in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Learn to handle directness without getting defensive.—
Brendan Keegan,
Rolling Stone,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The bluntness of her cut is on full display, with the ends turning up ever so slightly.—
Elise Tabin,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This team has responded well to that bluntness.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
WalletHub has studied deferred interest since 2012, periodically flagging retailers that offer the loans and rating their financing offers on transparency and forthrightness.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Mirren’s sharp wit, undaunted candor and natural grace is further amplified in a playful, almost naughty swag girl way about her.—
Rosemary Rossi,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The duo have become known for their candidness and light-hearted humor, frequently letting viewers in on the chaos of their real lives.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The title and author are set large in a text weight of Didot, echoing the candidness of the photo and the material.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frankness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frankness. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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