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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 Trump is more sincere about his lies than any Democrat in the modern area is about their truth. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025 But some people on X had the opposite interpretation, taking the photo as evidence that the suspect was a sincere protester opposed to Trump. David Ingram, NBC news, 17 June 2025 And not in a forced way, but in a sincere way, exposing vulnerabilities. Leila Cobo, Billboard, 12 June 2025 Mary Lou has expressed a sincere desire to use this experience as a moment for reflection and accountability. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sincere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sincere
Adjective
  • What matters is whether genuine compatibility exists beneath the obsession.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 July 2025
  • Despite the lighthearted framing of the post, many comments conveyed genuine sadness or guilt—often about animals taken on without fully understanding the commitment involved.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Jamie Lee Curtis got honest about her cosmetic procedures in the hopes of dissuading women from making the same mistake.
    Maria Yagoda, People.com, 5 July 2025
  • Maybe the most important feature of actual freedom is the ability to make honest and fair criticism of your country, something which feels more and more taboo.
    Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • At the time, the film broke box-office records for a Spanish-language film in the U.S., audiences resonating with its heartfelt emotions and focus on the bond between and mother and son.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
  • There are gentler moments, such as the heartfelt duet with his mother (Koko Alexandra) and the documentary team (Philippa Stefani and Matt Gonsalves) hoping to persuade MJ to open up about his health and addiction struggles.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Both WestJet and Hawaiian Airlines said their operations were unaffected by the hacks.
    Sean Lyngaas, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
  • Russian Security Council deputy chairman of Dmitry Medvedev also said Iran's critical nuclear infrastructure appeared to be unaffected or to have sustained only minor damage.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 23 June 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
  • The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.
    Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • The director similarly molds F1 around his star’s more reluctant image: Pitt portrays a man of few words who seems nostalgic for simpler times in his industry.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • In true underworld fashion, García tried to shield himself from the fallout.
    Gina Montaner, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
  • Just being true to ourselves and bringing that into the music.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • So far, the city's liability insurance carriers have agreed to pay nearly $27 million to settle four civil rights lawsuits alleging detectives — including some identified by multiple former officers as Wolverines — framed innocent people.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
  • That includes sparklers, which may look more innocent but can get up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sincere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sincere. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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