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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honorable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honorable are conscientious, honest, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," 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

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of honorable?

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

In what contexts can honest take the place of honorable?

Although the words honest and honorable have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could just be used to replace honorable?

The synonyms just and honorable are sometimes interchangeable, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When would upright be a good substitute for honorable?

While the synonyms upright and honorable are close in meaning, 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 honorable This is an honorable attempt, but most of us conclude that Green Chartreuse is the way to go, offering that distinct, persistent herbaceousness that is the liqueur’s telltale signature. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2025 Court documents show Blankenship has been employed by the city since 2006 following his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025 White Painted Woman was a model of heroism and honorable womanhood: When evil monsters were hunting the Apache people, the White Painted Woman gave birth to a son who would destroy the creatures to help make Earth inhabitable for humanity. Alejandra Rubio, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025 Along with us are thousands of honorable and free people around the world. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honorable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable
Adjective
  • 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
  • But that was less Counsell putting Brown on notice about his spot in the rotation and more so just being honest.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, that price reflects the cost of ethical production.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Why? Chemically, a gambling addiction functions the same way as a substance addiction, but a lot of people incorrectly see it as a moral failing or lack of self control, according to Cait Huble, of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • But Rowe said this request posed a moral dilemma for the Episcopal Church, which has deep ties to the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and counts the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu—an outspoken opponent of apartheid—among its spiritual forebears.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Voices Despite noble intentions, California’s environmental law is hurting Latinos July 19, 2024 Rent in California is 50% higher than the national median, according to U.S. Census data.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
  • Our characters deeply love each other, and the conflict between them is about noble issues, not petty drama.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Half Dome comes with a footprint, which is a rarity these days, and nice to have.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 May 2025
  • While the formula played nice with the sensitive skin on our tester’s hairline, its toning effects only lasted a few days.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 16 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
  • The ensemble pic led by Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan fell a respectable 55 percent from its opening weekend, compared to an average decline of 57 percent for a title in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2025
  • These are respectable numbers for a half-ton pickup.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a view of the future where major sporting events can achieve practically ubiquitous distribution and true interactivity.
    Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • The Johnny King Buck In 2006, Wisconsin deer hunter Johnny King shot what some folks believe is the true world-record typical whitetail.
    Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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