Thesaurus

honest

Q: How does the adjective 'honest' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honest are conscientious , honorable , just , scrupulous , and upright . While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness. // known for being honest in business dealings

Q: How do 'conscientious' and 'scrupulous' relate to one another, in the sense of 'honest'?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience. // conscientious in the completion of her assignments // scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

Q: When would 'honorable' be a good substitute for 'honest'?

The meanings of honorable and honest largely overlap; however, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty. // a difficult but honorable decision

Q: Where would 'just' be a reasonable alternative to 'honest'?

While the synonyms just and honest are close in meaning, just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable. // workers given just compensation

Q: When might 'upright' be a better fit than 'honest'?

The words upright and honest can be used in similar contexts, but upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles. // a stern and upright minister

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Synonyms & Antonyms of honest

1 being in the habit of telling the truth

at least the weatherman is honest and doesn't pretend to be able to predict the unpredictable

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2 conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue

an area populated by honest and industrious farm folk

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3 following the accepted rules of moral conduct

an honest customer who doesn't hesitate to tell the cashier she's given him too much change

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4 free from any intent to deceive or impress others

the sort of person who helps others from an honest desire to do good

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on the level

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5 free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions

appreciate your honest friends, who tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear

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6 guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong

made an honest attempt to return the money she had found in the cafeteria

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overconscientious

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7 being exactly as appears or as claimed

a restaurant serving honest down-home Southern cooking

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for real

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Frequently Asked Questions About honest

How does the adjective honest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honest are conscientious, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

How do conscientious and scrupulous relate to one another, in the sense of honest?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments

scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When would honorable be a good substitute for honest?

The meanings of honorable and honest largely overlap; however, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision