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an honest effort
a genuine effort
a sincere effort
an authentic effort
an earnest effort
a heartfelt effort
honest work
earnest work
genuine work
an honest answer
a truthful answer
a genuine answer
an accurate answer
a frank answer
honest communication
open communication
transparent communication
heartfelt communication
upfront communication
clear communication

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honest are conscientious, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

How do conscientious and scrupulous relate to one another, in the sense of honest?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When would honorable be a good substitute for honest?

The meanings of honorable and honest largely overlap; however, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to honest?

While the synonyms just and honest are close in meaning, just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When might upright be a better fit than honest?

The words upright and honest can be used in similar contexts, but upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 But the closure of the Standard wasn’t a huge loss, to be honest. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2025 One practical step is to hold a quick, honest debrief to dissect feedback, reaffirm your mission and refine strategies while staying grounded in what sets you apart. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025 This deeply moving, brutally honest vision of Somali life probes economic and familial anxieties with a brilliance that recalls great works of Italian neorealism. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025 Read Next National Shelter is brutally honest about a puppy in need of a home. Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • Schlossberg, who is late President John F. Kennedy’s grandson and an outspoken Democratic advocate, has previously criticized Kennedy Jr. for being vocal about his anti-vaccine perspective.
    Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Both Starmer and Macron have sought to balance their yearslong outspoken support for Zelenskyy with the need to retain good relations with the United States.
    Rebecca Shabad, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    Quang X. Pham, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • This courageous display helped convince the West that providing Ukraine arms aid was honorable and beneficial.
    Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The breach revealed that their products were being used for human rights abuses, despite claims of ethical oversight.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Recent projects with brands have centered on developing innovative denim that prioritizes sustainability and ethical production—fitting, with California leading the charge for green manufacturing.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Color Purple should be the lasting career touchstone for both Goldberg and Winfrey, its genuine popularity sustained through perennial TV runs and word of mouth, despite critical and industry controversy.
    Armond White, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025
  • That said, the production design and visual effects are a genuine highlight, in particular Terry Notary’s movement choreography for the robots, which helps to better anthropomorphize the characters.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But the Spark 2 wasn't really designed for studio-quality recording, and Positive Grid is candid about this.
    Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The actress has also been candid about her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis — first diagnosed in 2010 but kept private until 2022 — and plans to keep sharing her journey.
    Kate Hogan, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Mowery recently launched Azure Road, a new culinary, travel, and lifestyle publication for conscientious consumers.
    Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • If the exemption is granted based on religious or personal belief, it is called a conscientious exemption.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s even a hidden sleeve of real gold Krugerrands in the center console and an authentic signature from Sean Connery on the glove box.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Taylor does a lot of authentic casting in his shows and has a tendency to cast people in his world across his shows.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Violent, oppressive lies, carefully framed as logical, reasonable, truthful, and factual.
    Christine Winter, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Over the past few decades, conspiracy theories have emerged from time to time about whether the government is being truthful about the amount of gold stored there because of the fort’s high security.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on honest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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