as in honestly
to tell the truth
truthfully, I'd rather go to the amusement park than to the museum, but I'll go along with the rest of the group
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 truthfully
For some of his fans, evidently, this is refreshing, the sign of a president willing to speak truthfully and shatter outdated norms.
—
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
If they're asked, the holder must answer truthfully.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
And, truthfully, nothing on Fire of God’s Love could ever be mistaken for secular music.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
Since Buck came out as bisexual in season 7, Stark has been passionate about ensuring his character's story is told as truthfully and positively as possible.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Arguments can be made that NIL has put the final nail in the coffin to eliminate amateurism in college sports, but truthfully, amateurism in college sports died some time ago as the NCAA, institutions and media profited off the athletes.
—Eddie Edwards Jr, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Dazed and Confused is the vehicle that launched Matthew McConaughey’s career, but truthfully, his performance would have been lost without the movie’s strong, mostly undiscovered ensemble.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
The Trinidadian writer Harold Sonny Ladoo’s novel Yesterdays is relentlessly rude and crude, but also bold, experimental, truthfully ugly, and unforgettable.
—Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
Nobody’s perfect, but truthfully, that’s what’s kept us together.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
If they're asked, the holder must answer truthfully.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
And, truthfully, nothing on Fire of God’s Love could ever be mistaken for secular music.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
Since Buck came out as bisexual in season 7, Stark has been passionate about ensuring his character's story is told as truthfully and positively as possible.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Arguments can be made that NIL has put the final nail in the coffin to eliminate amateurism in college sports, but truthfully, amateurism in college sports died some time ago as the NCAA, institutions and media profited off the athletes.
—Eddie Edwards Jr, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Dazed and Confused is the vehicle that launched Matthew McConaughey’s career, but truthfully, his performance would have been lost without the movie’s strong, mostly undiscovered ensemble.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
The Trinidadian writer Harold Sonny Ladoo’s novel Yesterdays is relentlessly rude and crude, but also bold, experimental, truthfully ugly, and unforgettable.
—Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
Nobody’s perfect, but truthfully, that’s what’s kept us together.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for truthfully
Adverb
-
Can any of you please tell me, honestly, if you were personally affected job-wise?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But honestly, the translation is not really the issue in director Gabrielle Randle-Bent’s production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
It was unprompted, unfiltered, and, quite frankly, bizarre.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But these women were devoted to him — some still are, frankly.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Sweating the outcome, certainly – and actually, literally sweating.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Still, the Department of War, formerly known as the Department of Defense, advises that most UAP sightings can actually be identified as planes, balloons, drones and weather events.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
With the growing impact of digital, those of us who still want our news printed on paper really appreciate the delivery teams.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Ice is commonly prescribed to fix dull blades, but do ice cubes really sharpen them?—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Truthfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truthfully. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
