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 There was a lot of pain in their lives, but also a lot of honesty. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025 Her experiments with radical honesty influenced the confessorial online writing of the 2000s. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025 These core values must be upheld with honesty, conviction, and consistency. Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Michael’s raw, urban, industrial aesthetic, combined with searing honesty, is exactly what Jonathan wants for Rent. Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 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.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Given influencer marketing's rise to a multi-billion-dollar industry, integrity is more important now than ever.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Elsewhere, an extra treat out of the showcase was this exclusive interview with Bullet Train Explosion director Shinji Higuchi, who talked casting singer-actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and the morality behind the film.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
  • There is no bedrock to build on, in the world or in morality.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The honors will be given at the upcoming NATPE Budapest event.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Kelly received first-team all-conference and all-district honors and was named SWC lineman of the year as a senior.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Leaders can use short, personal video messages for feedback, recognition and updates because video conveys something text never will: tone, sincerity and connection.
    Chris Savage, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • While some moments certainly sizzle more than others, there’s more than enough sincerity and goofy charisma on stage to keep the show powered.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Moral exemplars are connected in a fundamental way to virtue ethics – a framework of behavior based in core virtues such as honesty, bravery and kindness.
    George Tsakiridis, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The Panthers qualified for nationals by virtue of winning its third straight Conference USA title.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Overall, achieving cost-effective mass production while maintaining reliability remains a challenge.
    Anton Alikov, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • As consumers and businesses keep pushing the limits of speed, functionality, and reliability, society demands innovation — and fast.
    William Jones, USA Today, 26 Apr. 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 6 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!