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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’s no feigned seriousness, no proclamations of honesty. T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025 But what began as personal updates for friends and family soon grew into something larger, as strangers connected with her honesty. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 Keaton takes on a role that could have been all cliché — that of a new mother trying to balance a demanding job with caring for a 14-month-old — and imbues it with such relatable honesty. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025 Those of us who care about peace have an obligation to speak with honesty and humility. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honesty
Noun
  • Haim managed to put on a show that felt about 95% mirthful while still honoring the integrity of the new songs that dig emotionally deeper.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • It was considered immoral to lie and the whole point of writing things down back then was to increase morality and improve society, so there really is no didactic history of forgery.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Still, the Catholic Legion of Decency and other morality groups would criticize the scene as indecent.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • She would be recognized by her peers with honors from the National Radio Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
  • At the top of 2025, aespa earned group of the year honors at Billboard Women in Music, marking the second year in a row that a K-pop group took home that award.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Several applauded Clark’s transparency and sincerity.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Critics after the screening agreed that when given a character perfectly tailored to his strengths (cocky sincerity, charismatic twerpiness), Timmy is a live wire.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Listening of this kind is a demanding civic art and civic virtue.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
  • That came by virtue of a career day from running back Rico Dowdle — who is facing his old team Sunday — and a defense that looked simply like a different team in the second half.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The recording of that release as depicted in the documentary is the balancing light to the overwhelming dark Osbourne experienced in his later years, a series of illnesses, hospitalizations, frustrations and ceaseless pain shown with unblinking frankness.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Collier, who was injured during the playoff series, read from a prepared statement that shocked everyone watching—if not for its contents, for its frankness.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Pittsburgh Steelers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has brought a level of poise and reliability to the Steelers' offense in his first year with the team, despite many writing him off due to his age.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The company says that in tests, Hadrian demonstrated improved reliability and accuracy by laying over 285 blocks per hour.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Thank goodness Luxy offers a free video consultation.
    Jessica Hartshorn, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Oh, my goodness, because that’s where the work was.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honesty. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honesty

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