integrity

noun

in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈte-grə-tē How to pronounce integrity (audio)
1
: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2
: an unimpaired condition : soundness
3
: the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness
Choose the Right Synonym for integrity

honesty, honor, integrity, probity mean uprightness of character or action.

honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Examples of integrity in a Sentence

Many were tempted by a piece of the equity action and compromised their integrity. Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002
By September, Gorbachev had told his aides that with Eastern Europe and Germany lost, the task was to defend the integrity of the Soviet Union itself. Condoleezza Rice, Newsweek, 22 Nov. 1999
But it is stunning to hear self-appointed watchdogs of public integrity shrug their shoulders at "standard" prosecutorial practice … Wendy Kaminer, New York Times Book Review, 22 Mar. 1998
… a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist … donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark. Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991
He's a man of the highest integrity. I admire her artistic integrity. She had the integrity to refuse to compromise on matters of principle. Without music, the film loses its integrity. They are trying to preserve the cultural integrity of the community. The earthquake may have damaged the building's structural integrity.
Recent Examples on the Web Bill McGinley, a longtime election attorney who served in the Trump administration as White House Cabinet secretary, will be taking the role of outside counsel for election integrity. Isabella Murray, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2024 Our data integrity team does not just trail creation but curation. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 In a study on rats with colitis, CBD was found to decrease inflammation and increase intestinal barrier function (the integrity of the cells that line the gut). Nick Mourtoupalas, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Your greatest concern should be the integrity of the rootball. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024 Linda Toupin for foresight and work to maintain the integrity of this historic property. Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 7 Mar. 2024 These people have the structural integrity of marshmallows. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 Why give already skeptical Aztecs fans yet another reason to question the integrity of a battered profession? Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 Their criticism has largely centered on whether the SEC went beyond its mandate to protect the financial integrity of security exchanges and investors from fraud. Suman Naishadham, Quartz, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'integrity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of integrity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near integrity

Cite this Entry

“Integrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

integrity

noun
in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈteg-rət-ē How to pronounce integrity (audio)
1
: the condition of being free from damage or defect
2
: total honesty and sincerity
3
: the quality or state of being complete or undivided

Medical Definition

integrity

noun
in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈteg-rət-ē How to pronounce integrity (audio)
plural integrities
: an unimpaired condition
personality function depends greatly upon the integrity of brain functionDiagnostic & Statistical Manual

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