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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of honest
Probably the most honest thing said all night!
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Most honest reaction Chloé Zhao (center) accepts the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
Carly Rae Jepson is the right answer in most cases, to be honest.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Clear sentences, concrete examples, and honest descriptions of learning tend to build more trust than pretending to have everything figured out.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honest
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Most honest reaction Chloé Zhao (center) accepts the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
Carly Rae Jepson is the right answer in most cases, to be honest.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Clear sentences, concrete examples, and honest descriptions of learning tend to build more trust than pretending to have everything figured out.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
-
Traitors is about the gullible and the skeptical working together to sieve the fraudulent from the truthful, an amalgamated nightmare of village idiots locking themselves in the stocks and pelting each other with rotten fruit.—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That is sometimes truthful but that’s always the reach.—
Sarah Kurchak,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Clarke, a junior, also was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection after totaling 30 tackles, eight passes defended and a fumble recovery in eight games.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Rickman played Colonel Brandon, the quiet, honorable, older man who falls in love with one of the Dashwood daughters, Marianne (Kate Winslet), competing for her heart against the secretly scandalous John Willoughby (Greg Wise).—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Find a tax preparer, but first review the agency's tips to find an ethical one.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
-
However, ethical leadership requires a clear boundary between policy disagreement and the normalization — or tacit justification — of violence.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nothing wrong with a little fantasy, but this year’s astrology asks us to stop romanticizing potential and start paying attention to what feels genuine, reciprocal and enduring.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The tears in Yang’s eyes appeared genuine.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Beijing is also candid — if selectively so — about its interest in strategic resources.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Bird shared a candid carousel of photos from a fun night with friends, featuring her girlfriend by her side.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Also, remain mindful and conscientious of how our actions affect those beyond ourselves.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To maintain this level of ethical, equitable basketball, the Bulls need a facilitator — a conscientious, unselfish playmaker who can read the court and set up teammates at a high level.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
From the upscale shopping paradise of Bal Harbor to the authentic cultures of Little Havana and Little Haiti, and the contemporary art scene of the Design District, the destination offers a variety of experiences.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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The video quickly went viral, reaching over 2 million views with many viewers assuming the image was authentic.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For decades, Venezuela was one of America's closest partners in Latin America, a reliable energy supplier, and a democracy that helped anchor the region.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Finding the right toiletry bag for your next trip is as important as buying a reliable carry-on or a hassle-free backpack.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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