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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 Covering the zoo fosters a better understanding of wildlife and conservation and, to be honest, brings pride and joy to our audiences. Terry Demio, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2025 To me that’s so beautiful and unique and honest. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025 That's up to us to be honest about why that continues to happen and stop perpetuating that cycle of failure. Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2025 Don’t be paranoid, just be honest with yourself (and your wallet). Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • The lawsuit argued, among other things, that SEPTA is not being truthful about its finances.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The idea was to be as local as possible, as universal as possible and to be truthful to Corsica as well, Basterga added.
    Ed Meza, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That would be the honest, fair and honorable thing to do.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This reversal deeply disrespects every honorable soldier who's had our Stars and Stripes draped over their casket as Taps play in the background.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement Bioprinting, which Putin seemed to reference to Xi, faces ethical and legal concerns, but Russia has ramped up its investment in it.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • According to the Natural History Museum, images will undergo an authenticity check during the final round, and submissions will be judged based on originality, narrative, and adherence to ethical practices.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Algorithmic Literacy requires genuine technical comprehension of AI capabilities, constraints, and ethical implications.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But despite a certain staginess, and a tendency for the plot to suddenly stop to make way for the acting, Hedda is actually a genuine attempt to mine something new from the old text, a compelling fusion of Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn and Stephen Fry’s Bright Young Things.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The stand-up comedian has previously been candid about her experience with postpartum depression.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Blair, who’s hilariously candid in her interviews, showed up late on set and refused to don the same makeup from the first movie.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Younger adults in particular are less conscientious, agreeable, extroverted and open to new experiences than past generations, while neuroticism — marked by anxiety and emotional instability — is rising.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Most of the traits that are good, like being conscientious and agreeable are also cool, but in different capacities.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Candy didn’t wear that particular internal organ on his sleeve so much as model whole outfits made out of it, and the sheer abundance of his authentic niceness is I Like Me‘s prime running motif.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
  • But as long as buyers like Mao Mao are around with money to spend on cute – if not authentic – Labubu, the market for fakes could be around for some time yet.
    Haicen Yang, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And especially with the other unknowns in the starting rotation, a reliable King changes the dynamic of how the Padres can navigate a postseason series.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Backed by Uniper, ABB, OKG, and the Royal Institute of Technology, Blykalla is poised to deliver Europe’s first advanced SMR for reliable, sustainable energy in AI and clean industries.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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