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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 Comforting touch should be honest and clear – not ambiguous, not tentative and never assumed. Brian N. Chin, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 Brewed with Great Lakes water, Midwest barley, Mexican lager yeast, and a whisper of German hops, Cold Time is as honest and hardworking as the city it's brewed in. Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Hess is open-minded about the ways these spaces benefit parents, and honest about where parents’ reliance on technology seems to fall apart. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 15 May 2025 The families who manage this best are the ones who acknowledge it openly, and make space for honest conversations. Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • His outspoken criticism of a student strike won him the support of California’s then governor, Ronald Reagan, and, in 1968, Hayakawa was appointed the college’s acting president.
    Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • Another singles match will see the tough Sheamus go one-on-one with the outspoken Grayson Waller.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    Quang X. Pham, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Instead, most of Bernadette’s assumptions — that working the border is an honorable act, or that a federal position will imbue her with more authority, or that all Native people will have the same opinions and the same goals — are upended over the course of the season.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some question whether the interest in crime content is ethical, but Golub said there are a lot of different reasons people are interested.
    Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
  • However, that price reflects the cost of ethical production.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • For all the offseason acquisitions meant to bolster the rotation, starting pitching has become a genuine concern for Los Angeles.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 May 2025
  • Section meetings are open to members, guests and anyone with a genuine interest in UFOs/UAPs.
    Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The candid nature of the moment, Lubomirski said, is what drew people in.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • She is known for sharing candid insights into her life as a young mother, posting content focused on parenting, home routines and family life.
    Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • The whereabouts rules are in place to ensure a fair and consistent method of testing for all athletes — not just ones who come from nations with conscientious anti-doping practices.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • By operating outside of the fast-churning fashion market with multi-year collections, Huang takes necessary time to be innovative and conscientious with her label’s designs and production.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Their authentic content can amplify your message more effectively than traditional ads.
    Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
  • Pack it in a portable container to avoid any mess while still offering an authentic Canadian experience.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • This week’s report about yet another death at a county jail run by the Sheriff’s Department was painfully familiar in its portrait of cruel indifference to the health of inmates and the overt signs the agency isn’t being truthful about key events in the tragedy.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • But for the most part, just being truthful in the moment with the words and with the other actors was enough.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honest

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