1
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun honesty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of honesty are honor, integrity, and probity. While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

When is honor a more appropriate choice than honesty?

While the synonyms honor and honesty are close in meaning, honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

When would integrity be a good substitute for honesty?

The meanings of integrity and honesty largely overlap; however, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

When could probity be used to replace honesty?

While in some cases nearly identical to honesty, probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

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 honesty In the morning, a group of prospective jurors is asked to swear an oath of honesty before they are given a packet of 14 yes-or-no questions and a list of more than 190 names and places. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 May 2025 Tiana brings humor, heart, and honesty to a topic that affects everyone, making the song both relatable and deeply personal. Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 6 May 2025 This creates a dilemma for those who value honesty but also need to rely on trust to maintain strong relationships with clients and colleagues. Martin Reimann, The Conversation, 6 May 2025 Lennox’s honesty sparked a wave of support from fellow artists then, including Kehlani and T-Pain, who empathized with her struggles and encouraged her to pursue independence. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honesty
Noun
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025
  • But one expert said that the structural integrity of buildings, roads, bridges and dams can be profoundly impacted when land shifts downward.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The White Lotus was, as always, teeming with social commentary about the morality of the very wealthy.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 3 May 2025
  • Trump administration officials have been defiant by turning up the dial on deportation critics through social media channels and press conferences and slamming Democrats who question the legality and morality of some deportation moves.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Theater's highest honor, getting recognized with a nomination typically leads to an influx in box office sales, which new musicals desperately need during the crowded spring season.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • The honor will be conferred on May 7 during the awards ceremony, aired live in primetime on national broadcaster Rai 1 from the Cinecittà Studios in Rome.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • This post contains details about The Righteous Gemstones series finale episode ‘That Man of God May Be Complete’ The end is here, and Danny McBride is bidding farewell to The Righteous Gemstones with his signature absurdist brand of comedy, plus a rare dash of sincerity.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 May 2025
  • Perhaps what immortalizes their legacy is not the absence of friction, but the sincerity of his love.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And as someone who is trying to make an NFL roster or practice squad, that’s an immense virtue.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025
  • By virtue of finishing with the NBA's fifth-worst record this year, the Sixers have a 10.5% chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick, trailing only the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets (14% each) and New Orleans Pelicans (12.5%).
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The actor was drawn to the reliability of growing up with a grandmother who always cooked in the house.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 May 2025
  • This incident follows similar outages in April and November, raising concerns about the reliability of air traffic control systems at the airport.
    Josh Rivera, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • This alcohol-free, fluoride-free and preservative-free formula is infused with the natural goodness of peppermint, spearmint, cardamom, fennel, clove, oregano and tea tree oils.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
  • Testarossa club manager Tracy Chastain, who grew up in the South, personally vetted the gravy, and everyone universally loved the buttery goodness of the biscuits, of which were left nary a crumb.
    Laura Ness, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Senegalese’s directness and precision have since become a key part of Palace’s play, as has his on-field relationship with Daniel Munoz down the right as the pair have learned each other’s game.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • This is a film marked by ambiguity — which is its strength overall, even if there are crucial times in the film the narrative would be better served by directness.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Honesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honesty. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honesty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!