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an honest effort
a genuine effort
a sincere effort
an authentic effort
an earnest effort
a heartfelt effort
honest work
earnest work
genuine work
an honest answer
a truthful answer
a genuine answer
an accurate answer
a frank answer
honest communication
open communication
transparent communication
heartfelt communication
upfront communication
clear communication

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 There are real issues facing our community: unidentified, masked ICE agents kidnapping people, people soon to be kicked off Medicaid, and so many others that deserve open and honest discussion. Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025 Experts say clear, honest communication is critical, but the wrong message can backfire, fueling fear instead of trust. Sharon Wu, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025 Meeting climate targets will require the entire industry to use every available tool: lower-impact materials, circular business models, smarter financing, and a more honest conversation about production volume. Kurt Kipka, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025 This is a great way to spot medical fraud or an honest human error like a miscoding of services. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • And there’s nothing wrong with…okay, bad, be truthful, sure.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Our intent for Grok is to provide helpful and truthful responses to users.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Law enforcement really is an honorable profession that serves the community at whole very well.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Just continue to guide your daughter toward honorable behavior.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As a result, many have already experienced issues such as privacy violations, systemic failures, inaccurate predictions, and ethical violations.
    Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Improving transparency starts with a commitment to open communication, ethical leadership, and meaningful public engagement.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The most effective solution lies in embracing genuine flexibility.
    Rob Lydic, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • With big sponsors such as Barclays, promoters like Live Nation and even investors like Blackrock, Vanguard and KKR now a target for activists, there’s a genuine fear that the tap could be turned off.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Ishiba’s comment wasn’t framed as a criticism, but instead a candid expression of reality.
    Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Dolores Huerta, the 95-year-old farm labor activist who is a cofounder of the United Farm Workers, got candid with Politico about the state of agriculture amid the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown.
    Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • People who are conscientious of their health tend to engage in healthy behaviors like eating well, exercising, and following their healthcare provider’s advice while avoiding risky behaviors like smoking or driving too fast.
    Sharon Basaraba, Verywell Health, 28 July 2025
  • Being conscientious will serve kids in the long run.
    Jasmine Mote, Scientific American, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Ralph Johnson is wry and endearing as the town rabbi, Ron Orbach is gruff and authentic as the butcher Lazar Wolf.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Blockchain could become the only way to prove a person or company is real and that their message is authentic.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Each day, Lamb showed up with multiple catches and proved to be the reliable target he’s been through five seasons.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025
  • That reliable iron lump brings the 5,000-pound car to 60 mph from a standstill in about 10 seconds, not so brisk a pace as to blow off a bad hairpiece.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honest

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