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
In the case of non-professionals, especially children, generosity should prevail over frankness.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Fulmer also delivers some comedic moments as Alycia, whose fast-talking frankness can be quite funny, albeit tone-deaf at times.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Her emotional frankness has also translated into measurable commercial impact.
—Amy Francombe, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2026
From a cultural perspective, William's frankness is a significant development.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Fulmer also delivers some comedic moments as Alycia, whose fast-talking frankness can be quite funny, albeit tone-deaf at times.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Her emotional frankness has also translated into measurable commercial impact.
—Amy Francombe, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2026
From a cultural perspective, William's frankness is a significant development.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frankness
Noun
-
Through her social media platforms, Libby is known to connect and empower women with honesty, humor, and her relatable voice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
So does his willingness to examine his own work with the same honesty the Nets demanded from their players.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Each year brings a new theme, embraced with staggering sincerity—and just a hint of competition.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
-
People have a sense that there is a sincerity and authenticity and genuine concern for the environment that isn't just a marketing gimmick or a brand.—
Tony Biasotti,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The line is more powerful for its sober, clear-eyed directness.—
Aimee Cliff,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The directness with which the camera meets the eyes of the film’s subjects suggests compassion for their disfigurement and isolation (indeed, Farrokhzad adopted a boy from the colony), but there are no interviews.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Queen Elizabeth loved Kelly’s pragmatic bluntness and viewed her as an incredibly loyal friend.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Inspired by the super cropped bobs of the roaring 1920s, the French bob is similar to a one-length short bob, but sans any harsh bluntness.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
The memoirs are valued above all for their candor, though Jahangir chose to avoid writing about his earlier rebellion against his father, Akbar.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
That candor tracks with the self-aware persona that built her YouTube audience in the first place.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some athletes early in this era proved that charisma and candidness coupled with their athletic skills could be highly lucrative.—
Chantel Jennings,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Frankness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frankness. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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