1
as in truthful
being in the habit of telling the truth
at least the weatherman is honest and doesn't pretend to be able to predict the unpredictable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue
an area populated by honest and industrious farm folk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ethical
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
an honest customer who doesn't hesitate to tell the cashier she's given him too much change
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
the sort of person who helps others from an honest desire to do good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in candid
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
appreciate your honest friends, who tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in conscientious
guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong
made an honest attempt to return the money she had found in the cafeteria
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in authentic
being exactly as appears or as claimed
a restaurant serving honest down-home Southern cooking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
an honest effort
honest work
an honest answer
honest communication
open communication
transparent communication
heartfelt communication
upfront communication
clear communication
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 honest
The actress got candid about the reprimand, and her struggles with anxiety and panic attacks early on in the show's run, in an honest conversation with David Duchovny on his podcast, Fail Better.
—
EW.com, 12 July 2025
Moreover, removing this rule will empower law enforcement to crack down on international trafficking rings more effectively, protecting consumers and honest businesses alike.
—Steve Pociask, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
Read more: LeBron James' Former Teammate Makes Prediction for His NBA Future
John Hollinger of The Athletic took an honest look at James' future with the Lakers.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Well, to be honest, coming from Iowa, there was little conversation around style.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honest
EW.com, 12 July 2025
Moreover, removing this rule will empower law enforcement to crack down on international trafficking rings more effectively, protecting consumers and honest businesses alike.
—Steve Pociask, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
Read more: LeBron James' Former Teammate Makes Prediction for His NBA Future
John Hollinger of The Athletic took an honest look at James' future with the Lakers.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Well, to be honest, coming from Iowa, there was little conversation around style.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
-
The records indicate Glenn was to provide truthful testimony against Renfroe, and no additional jail time.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
8 July 2025
-
The Colombian pop superstar — famous for her truthful hips — graced Snapdragon Stadium on Thursday night, kickstarting the Californian leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry) World Tour.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Michael Roth, the president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, has taken the harder and more honorable route.—
John T. Shaw,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
-
Our leadership spends its time implying anyone with origins south of our border is less than honorable and must be deported regardless of their contributions, just to feel powerful.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Judges must prepare to spot obvious AI red flags Until courts figure out how to navigate AI—a process that may look different from court to court—Browning advocates for more education and ethical guidance for judges to steer their use and attitudes about AI.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
21 July 2025
-
Similarly, the ethical OM Project line from 1997 and 1998 was forward-looking.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Plaintiff Phone Discovery: Critical Strategic Elements Successful phone discovery requires understanding several strategic elements that can significantly improve outcomes: The Education Component: Many resistance issues stem from genuine misunderstanding about what cell phone forensics involves.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Whether a genuine belief or a strategic alliance, Drake’s claim places him firmly in the heart of a cultural tug-of-war.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Karen Read's father, Bill Read, opened up about his family's experience throughout her three-and-a-half-year legal saga in a candid new podcast interview.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
-
The pair decided to stream the entire weekend for 72-hours straight, bringing fans directly into practices and parties (and more parties), resulting in rare candid moments with stars like Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Dijonai Carrington.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
New hires can't learn by example because there's no one to watch, and conscientious peers can't see when newcomers are struggling.—
David Meade,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Each one should be the result of a deliberate, conscientious decision by the only person elected to make it.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Step into the jungle at Chef Jose Luis Hinostroza's ARCA for an award-winning dining and craft cocktail experience that feels innovative yet deeply authentic to the richness of one of Mexico's most celebrated regional cuisines.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
19 July 2025
-
Audit regularly to keep your clone authentic and bold.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
By the time Osbourne returned to Milwaukee for a March 5, 1984, concert at the Arena, his concerts had a reliable opening act: protesters outside the venue, criticizing Osbourne and rockers like him for performing the devil's music.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
23 July 2025
-
One of his key issues remains securing clean, reliable water supplies for rural and tribal communities in need.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share