integrity

noun

in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈte-grə-tē 

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

Synonyms

• character
• decency
• goodness
• honesty
• morality
• probity
• rectitude
• righteousness
• rightness
• uprightness
• virtue
• virtuousness

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

Your priority has to be your client’s autonomy and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

World & Nation How Taiwan beat back disinformation and preserved the integrity of its election Jan. 27, 2024 At least one journalist has been indicted on defamation charges for a story about the justice minister that turned out to have major inaccuracies. —Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

integrity

noun

in·​teg·​ri·​ty in-ˈteg-rət-ē 

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 

plural integrities

: an unimpaired condition

personality function depends greatly upon the integrity of brain function

—Diagnostic & Statistical Manual