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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sincere distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sincere are heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned, and wholehearted. While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

When can heartfelt be used instead of sincere?

While in some cases nearly identical to sincere, heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

When could hearty be used to replace sincere?

Although the words hearty and sincere have much in common, hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

Where would unfeigned be a reasonable alternative to sincere?

In some situations, the words unfeigned and sincere are roughly equivalent. However, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

When might wholehearted be a better fit than sincere?

The synonyms wholehearted and sincere are sometimes interchangeable, but wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

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 sincere Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his family and loved ones during this heartbreaking time. Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 The clothes felt thoughtful and sincere rather than big for the sake of being big. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025 Morris asked that his attorneys convey his sincere apologies to Clemishire and his thanks to those who have supported and forgiven him. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025 With the first piece of evidence in decades, Karen (Lyle) must assemble an unbeatable team alongside her sincere and lovable sidekick DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray (Chris Jenks) and the brilliant, but romantically complicated, DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt). Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sincere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sincere
Adjective
  • These best-selling shoes are constructed with 100 percent genuine suede and feature a cork footbed, deep heel cup, and a plush inner lining that feels snug and soft on your feet.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The head coach wants genuine competition, plus options and an ability to change approach depending on the opposition and what is required.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Anonymity also allows the scouts to be completely honest, without fear of reprisals.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • At the time, the Times responded by affirming a commitment to honest dialogue and mutual respect among colleagues.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The film, which debuted to acclaim at Cannes this past May, is a heartfelt and surprising drama about an addict named Mike, who, after punching and robbing a man who offers to help, emerges from prison on a tentative path to rehabilitation.
    Esther Zuckerman, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
  • While the note was heartfelt, royal experts questioned its timing.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That leaves Wednesday’s release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting as the main economic report to watch in the coming week as the central bank is self-funded and unaffected by the shutdown.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2025
  • While federal workers are not being paid and most offices are not offering services, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits are unaffected.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This was a performer whose sense of self-worth, depending on the day, ranged from unfeigned humility to desperate insecurity to full-on self-loathing.
    Bruce Handy, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
  • His life story is inspiring, and his love of country is as unfeigned as his faith.
    Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
Adjective
  • Strufe adds that while intelligence agencies or cybercriminals have simpler ways to monitor people – such as accessing CCTV cameras or video doorbells – the widespread presence of wireless networks could eventually form a near-comprehensive surveillance infrastructure.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The simplest way to find influential people in a network is called degree centrality—just count the number of connections for each person.
    Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • It's slated to offer a commendable-if-true 330 miles (520 km) range, from a 350-kW fast-charging 122-kWh battery.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The same will be true this season, but with Turner being more mobile and versatile than Lopez, the Bucks will likely play types of defense that Portis may be more comfortable executing.
    Eric Nehm, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Legendary Italian auteur Marco Bellocchio (The Traitor, Kidnapped) directed and co-wrote the six-episode series, which tells the story of the downfall and imprisonment of popular TV host Enzo Tortora, an innocent man.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Ryan Clark, Pat McAfee and Scott Van Pelt gave strong reactions to the evidence that attempted to prove Kyren Lacy innocent of allegedly causing a fatal wreck last year.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sincere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sincere. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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