Synonyms of probity

probity

noun

ˈprō-bə-tē 

1

as in integrity

conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong

a person of indisputable probity must head the disciplinary panel

Synonyms & Similar Words

• integrity
• morality
• virtue
• honesty
• goodness
• rectitude
• character
• rightness
• ethics
• decency
• morals
• uprightness
• honor
• righteousness
• virtuousness
• incorruptibility
• scrupulousness
• decorum
• correctness
• appropriateness
• fitness
• propriety
• etiquette
• high-mindedness
• right-mindedness
• scrupulosity
• seemliness
• irreproachability
• irreproachableness
• decorousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• immorality
• badness
• wickedness
• villainy
• sin
• impropriety
• iniquity
• indiscretion
• degradation
• evildoing
• indecorum
• indecency
• perversion
• depravity
• dishonesty
• sinfulness
• degeneracy
• debauchery
• unscrupulousness
• crookedness
• corruption
• meanness
• viciousness
• vileness
• lowness
• underhandedness
• pervertedness

2

as in honesty

devotion to telling the truth

the defense attorney questioned the probity of the witness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• integrity
• honesty
• truthfulness
• sincerity
• reliability
• veracity
• credibility
• authenticity
• reliableness
• verity
• rectitude
• accuracy
• scrupulousness
• incorruptibility
• uprightness
• truth
• frankness
• dependability
• objectivity
• trustworthiness
• forthrightness
• righteousness
• ingenuousness
• honorableness
• straightforwardness
• candor
• guilelessness
• good faith
• scrupulosity
• artlessness
• correctness
• honor
• right-mindedness
• candidness
• genuineness
• trustability
• trustiness
• plainspokenness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dishonesty
• lying
• deceit
• untruthfulness
• mendacity
• hypocrisy
• deception
• duplicity
• insincerity
• deceitfulness
• falsity
• dissimulation
• smoothness
• crookedness
• artifice
• double-dealing
• fakery
• falseness
• dissembling
• mendaciousness
• cunning
• unscrupulousness
• perfidy
• trickery
• guile
• cozenage
• dupery
• furtiveness
• indirection
• slipperiness
• wiliness
• slyness
• underhandedness
• slickness
• craftiness
• cunningness
• insidiousness
• prevarication
• oiliness
• two-facedness
• beguilement
• treacherousness
• equivocation
• exaggeration
• inaccuracy
• fraudulentness

3

as in honor

faithfulness to high moral standards

ideals of fairness and probity in journalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

• integrity
• honesty
• honor
• morality
• rectitude
• virtue
• uprightness
• righteousness
• justice
• respectability
• nobility
• fairness
• conscientiousness
• scrupulousness
• decency
• incorruptibility
• reputability
• virtuousness
• character
• blamelessness
• high-mindedness
• right-mindedness
• irreproachability
• irreproachableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• baseness
• corruption
• dishonor
• degradation
• venality
• lowness
• dissipation
• profligacy
• perversion
• corruptibility
• disgrace
• criminality
• shamelessness
• decadence
• looseness
• depravity
• dishonesty
• degeneracy
• debasement
• dissoluteness
• corruptness
• debauchery
• immorality
• unscrupulousness
• blameworthiness
• crookedness
• rascality
• unrighteousness
• knavery
• disreputableness
• meanness
• disgracefulness
• pervertedness
• wickedness
• rottenness
• villainy
• sinfulness
• vileness
• dissipatedness
• wretchedness
• roguishness
• reprehensibleness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun probity contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of probity are honesty, honor, and integrity. While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

When might honesty be a better fit than probity?

The words honesty and probity can be used in similar contexts, but honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

When is it sensible to use honor instead of probity?

The words honor and probity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

When could integrity be used to replace probity?

In some situations, the words integrity and probity are roughly equivalent. However, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of probity

As for the legal probity of targeting such a change at one country—China—this would hardly be unprecedented. —Alex Raskolnikov, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2025

The legal and political crisis encompasses both the Justice Department and New York’s City Hall, calling into question Mr. Adams’s future as well as the independence and probity of federal prosecutions. —Benjamin Weiser, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

Carter’s outsider status, coupled with his evident probity, provided a tonic to an electorate weary of Watergate and Richard Nixon’s endless prevarications. —Randall Balmer, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2025

The dilemma recalls Otto Preminger’s Whirlpool and Where the Sidewalk Ends, post-WWII films about personal probity but without the melodramatic hype that cheapened both. —Armond White, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024

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