Synonyms of sincere

sincere

adjective

sin-ˈsir 

1

as in genuine

genuine in feeling

she offered a sincere apology for her angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

• genuine
• heartfelt
• unfeigned
• honest
• unaffected
• authentic
• true
• ingenuous
• transparent
• unforced
• artless
• wholehearted
• translucent
• hearty
• whole-souled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insincere
• false
• artificial
• feigned
• affected
• hypocritical
• unctuous
• backhanded
• mealy
• double-dealing
• two-faced
• mealymouthed
• left-handed

2

as in honest

free from any intent to deceive or impress others

done out of a sincere desire to help others

Synonyms & Similar Words

• genuine
• honest
• unaffected
• simple
• true
• innocent
• real
• naive
• guileless
• ingenuous
• straightforward
• artless
• spontaneous
• unpretentious
• unpretending
• inexperienced
• on the level
• candid
• natural
• childlike
• frank
• direct
• trustful
• unsophisticated
• open
• unworldly
• straight
• impressionable
• persuadable
• wide-eyed
• trusting
• unforced
• malleable
• simpleminded
• openhearted
• plain
• unstudied
• plainspoken
• gullible
• dewy-eyed
• unguarded
• single-minded
• gee-whiz
• free
• persuasible
• susceptible
• free-spoken
• exploitable
• unwary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insincere
• false
• critical
• assuming
• artificial
• dishonest
• cynical
• fake
• phony
• pretentious
• skeptical
• artful
• affected
• wary
• suspicious
• sophisticated
• worldly
• mistrustful
• cosmopolitan
• cultured
• civilized
• polished
• guileful
• hypocritical
• refined
• cultivated
• deceptive
• subtle
• manipulative
• deceitful
• dissembling
• dissimulating
• shrewd
• sharp
• devious
• crooked
• smooth
• cunning
• worldly-wise
• sly
• crafty
• slick
• wily
• designing
• flattering
• slippery
• underhanded
• tricky
• shifty
• scheming
• calculating
• unctuous
• foxy
• feigned
• arch
• strained
• forced
• two-faced
• double-dealing
• sycophantic
• knavish
• canny
• mealymouthed

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

Recent Examples of sincere

Anthony Palmieri, former president of the National Guardianship Association and a long-time fraud investigator in the Florida guardianship system, said that most guardianship judges are sincere professionals but that bad actors exist. —Jc Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Mar. 2026

Enter Louis Theroux, a British documentarian known for embedding himself in volatile subcultures and extracting sincere insights. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026

Ronnie here, and my sincerest apologies if that song is now playing in your head all day. —Ronnie Li, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026

But our sincere compliments to the curators. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026