honest

adjective

ˈä-nəst How to pronounce honest (audio)
Definition of honestnext
1
as in truthful
being in the habit of telling the truth at least the weatherman is honest and doesn't pretend to be able to predict the unpredictable

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2
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue an area populated by honest and industrious farm folk

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3
as in ethical
following the accepted rules of moral conduct an honest customer who doesn't hesitate to tell the cashier she's given him too much change

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4
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others the sort of person who helps others from an honest desire to do good

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in candid
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions appreciate your honest friends, who tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in conscientious
guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong made an honest attempt to return the money she had found in the cafeteria

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7
as in authentic
being exactly as appears or as claimed a restaurant serving honest down-home Southern cooking

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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 Someone says the rats are actually cute — what’s your honest response? — Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 10 July 2026 But those ideals block the play from being fully honest—by letting ugliness stick around. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026 Born This Way, produced by Bunim/Murray Productions, debuted on A&E in 2015 and quickly won over critics and audiences with its honest and empathetic portrayals of the challenges and achievements of seven adults with Down syndrome. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 July 2026 The honest truth is that campaigning is an expensive venture. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
  1. outspoken
  2. honorable
  3. ethical
  4. genuine
  5. candid
  6. conscientious
  7. authentic
  8. truthful
Adjective
  • Mahmoud Nabavian, an outspoken radical lawmaker, asked on X days before Khamenei’s funeral.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • The remarks drew criticism from Fine, who has emerged as one of Vance’s most outspoken Republican critics on Israel.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026
Definition of outspoken
Adjective
  • Someone who lost their way despite their initial, honorable intentions.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • Manliness is a touchy subject these days, but there was a time when honorable combat was respected above the mere running of one’s mouth.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • Performance-enhancing uses also raise ethical considerations.
    — Elaine Yu, CNBC, 11 July 2026
  • While guidelines provide oversight on the vetting, selection and usage of AI tools, governance provides the structural oversight that keeps AI aligned with business objectives, ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
    — Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Al Jazeera gave the region a genuine public sphere and spared its funder.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • However, that kind of genuine care isn’t a skill that can be trained.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • The ensemble drama traces the unpredictable shape of grief and family dynamics, aiming for an emotionally candid portrait of loss and the ties that hold communities together.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • The actor, 55, got candid about his feelings about his four daughters dating while appearing alongside his family at the New York City premiere of The Odyssey on Tuesday, July 14.
    — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of candid
Adjective
  • The exhibition’s framing of Hamdi as the conscientious Orientalist feels slyly designed to disarm judgment of his work, and even to neutralize his professional misdeeds.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Earth-friendly, conscientious gardeners learn to slow down and pay attention — not only to plants but to the many creatures that share the garden.
    — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Definition of conscientious
Adjective
  • Built on raw, authentic competition, BKB delivers world championship bare knuckle boxing to fans through a growing slate of live events and broadcast partnerships, including distribution via VICE TV, talkSPORT, and Telemundo.
    — James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Managers who use medium to high levels of AI assistance in writing emails, for instance, are seen as less authentic and trustworthy, according to a study published in July 2025.
    — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of authentic
Adjective
  • Thus, Hallums' causes of action were within the scope of the HUPEPA's protections, whether or not Chee's allegations were truthful or false.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Historians, however, agree that the first account is more truthful.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026
Definition of truthful

Phrases Containing honest

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hones in (on)
honest
honest broker
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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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