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
  • January 20 – February 18 This afternoon favors truthful words and choices.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Their relationship fractured after Thomas admitted to staging paparazzi photos ahead of the wedding and, according to Meghan, was not truthful with her about his communications with the press.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 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
  • The NYT‘s profile either downplayed or omitted all of these glaring ethical red flags.
    Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.
    Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • If that feeds through into hotter Consumer Price Index prints, the Fed's path to cutting gets narrower, and a hike becomes a genuine possibility rather than a fringe scenario.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Brown, who serves as executive chair of the BetterUp Center for Daring Leadership, says trust is earned in small, consistent moments when leaders show genuine interest in their employees’ lives.
    Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Even after his comeback kicked off, Bieber’s penchant for candid social media musings raised some concerns that were assuaged by his representative.
    Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Fans of Lyonne commented on the post, worried and checking in with the actor, who has long been candid about her battle with addiction.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Of course, a move can be both strategic and conscientious.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Specifically, pet owners enjoyed greater self-esteem, exercised more, were more conscientious and less fearful of forming attachments.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 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
  • If nursing is the new reliable path to the middle class, the door is real, but the bottleneck is significant.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Smith acknowledged the exorbitant price to build reliable orbital data centers, which will have an operational life of five to seven years, is its own obstacle.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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