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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 Stepping back onstage and seeing the reaction from his fans reaffirmed his open and honest approach to music. Richard Trapunski, Billboard, 6 June 2025 Former First Lady Michelle Obama has opened up on her honest reaction to her eldest daughter, Malia, deciding to drop her last name. Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025 Sisters are brutally honest, often without any filter. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 Expect a bold, honest and fiery passionate month in the love department. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, an outspoken critic of the city’s homeless programs, also has been a longtime supporter of terminating the emergency.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • These decisions suggest an effort to suppress all but the most overt nationalistic efforts from American artists, a fool’s errand given the outspoken nature of the creative community, and one that is not unfamiliar around the globe.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The comparison with Lexus is honorable but not accurate.
    Josh Max, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • We were honored because our parents were honorable.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Skills like empathy, cultural understanding and ethical decision-making can’t be replicated by algorithms.
    Braden Yuill, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The woman's family later filed a lawsuit against Willet and his organization, questioning the circumstances surrounding her death and the legal and ethical oversight — or lack thereof — in her use of the pod, per the outlets.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Learning to be resilient from the inside out is essential for developing genuine capacity and successfully navigating challenging times.
    Melissa Cidado, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Being transparent in this way helps build trust and demonstrates a genuine dedication to improvement.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • The candid video showed the cat gently moving his paw to pump breast milk for his owner, who had recently given birth.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • But when navigated well, this process can strengthen the relationship and ensure that directors serve as your candid, engaged, and strategic partners.
    Rachel DuRose, Harvard Business Review, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Jeff seems to be both the most conscientious and deplorable character.
    Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 28 May 2025
  • This will be a huge advantage to my clients that can’t find enough hourly warehouse workers, or workers that are conscientious enough to track quantities in this manner.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Like in those shows, there were small aspects of her character that felt true and authentic to Black women’s experiences.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
  • When computers can simulate empathy, generate personalized romantic messages, or even create convincing virtual partners, what happens to the authentic vulnerability that genuine intimacy requires?
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Prosecutors argued Thursday that Runcie was asked straightforward questions multiple times in different ways, but was not truthful.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • Garcia testified that he was contacted by law enforcement and wasn't truthful about his involvement at first.
    NBC News, NBC news, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honest

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