Definition of honestnext
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Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

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 honest This is a restaurant shaped by good, honest cooking and a deep understanding of what people want to eat day after day. Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026 Emotionally honest with just the right dash of humor, Private Life is a poignant slice of family drama anchored by Hahn's vulnerable performance. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026 Danny Pintauro is getting brutally honest about life after child stardom. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026 That isn’t quite true, as any honest analysis of the history and sociology of medicine (or indeed of science in general) would reveal. Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • Venice has always supported truthful, singular voices, and I am honored to play a part in continuing that brave and necessary tradition.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Venice has always supported truthful, singular voices and I am honored to play a part in continuing that brave and necessary tradition.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After receiving an honorable discharge in 1972, Nolte returned to Raytown to begin a career as an electrician.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Why did the Pentagon, for no plausible reason other than animus, expel trans service members after years of honorable service?
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That awareness accelerated in 2010 following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh, which exposed the exploitative nature of global supply chains and intensified calls for more ethical and sustainable practices.
    Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • That could potentially raise ethical questions, as federal officials are prohibited from using their positions to benefit personal connections.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The sterling silver and gold vermeil versions use cubic zirconia, while the 14-karat gold one is made with genuine diamonds.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The handles are weighted and ergonomic without being bulky, and the heads are thin enough to actually get under food—like a delicate omelet—which is a genuine problem with thicker silicone spatulas.
    Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The times might be a-changin’ for the Rockies, thanks, in part, to a candid team meeting.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
  • In this fireside chat, Debose and Peters offer a candid, distribution-side perspective on platform economics, content ownership, and audience monetization, breaking down who truly benefits in this evolving space.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Sam has encouraged the boy to be more conscientious with his studies and has been learning alongside him for years, picking up his schoolbooks and offering ideas on how to make the assignments more meaningful.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The pilot program was characterized by SeaWorld San Diego Park President Tyler Carter as a conscientious move toward potentially phasing out fireworks.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Romvari films Sasha’s efforts by combining authentic documentary elements—the adult Sasha’s interviews with real-life psychologists and social workers—and scenes featuring dramatic monologues of a rare poetic sublimity.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The Pitt stays authentic to healthcare and Pittsburgh Renewed for a third season, The Pitt focuses on emergency department doctors at Allegheny General Hospital, and as Wyle has said in the past, it's based in reality thanks to research and conversation with real-life ER professionals.
    Patrick Damp, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Ellie Roebuck Hasn’t been capped since 2023 but back in the WSL with Aston Villa and back in Wiegman’s squad as a reliable reserve ‘keeper.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The genre hit its stride in the late-’90s and early-2000s, as the formula became a reliable commercial play.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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