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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 Kind of surprising for a boot at this price point, to be honest. Alyssa Brandt, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025 Ask yourself, is this honest or is this just heat-of-the-moment? Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 5 Oct. 2025 His character in Pillion would never dare be this vulnerable and honest in public, and perhaps not even in private. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025 The internet loves an unexpected pet rescue—but a woman online is being honest about her situation. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • The people that go through life just enjoying life, enjoying people that are truthful, that are loyal, that are honest.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
  • When someone confides in her, the speaker feels magically compelled to be truthful.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But while that attempt to shield his team may be honorable, the reality is that the Miami back line has let him down on too many occasions this season.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Mason is an honorable man who has fallen on hard times and is desperately trying to keep from losing the family ranch.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Since you’re still considered a federal employee on furlough, any job must fall within the federal government’s standards of ethical conduct and rules.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, Veja’s cost of goods is three times higher than that of comparable products due to this ethical sourcing.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These best-selling shoes are constructed with 100 percent genuine suede and feature a cork footbed, deep heel cup, and a plush inner lining that feels snug and soft on your feet.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The head coach wants genuine competition, plus options and an ability to change approach depending on the opposition and what is required.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Arthurs shared the news in a candid Instagram post Friday, telling fans he was diagnosed earlier this year and is now entering the next phase of treatment.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Neither a standard biopic nor a concert documentary, the film is an 89-minute communal celebration featuring exclusive music videos and candid behind-the-scenes content documenting the making of Swift’s 12th album.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • More than 70 percent of the participants were identified as being open-minded, conscientious, and emotionally stable.
    Alyssa Ages, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
  • More than 30 years ago, Greider, a conscientious journalist with a keen eye for detail, exposed how the American political system had been bent toward wealthy interests who could afford to hire lobbyists.
    Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • As a remake of the original 2013 PS3 game, The Last of Us was rebuilt with better graphics while retaining an authentic experience.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Their mission is to preserve and enhance the ethos of the iconic American West by bringing these offerings to a broader audience in modern, authentic ways.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Public chargers also need to be reliable.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • During the past decade, Tranter has established himself as one of the music industry’s most reliable hitmakers, thanks to his clever, boisterous lyricism and dramatic, over-the-top choruses and hooks.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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