1
2
a
: reputable, respectable
honest decent people
3
: worthy of praise
an honest day's work
put forth an honest effort
4
a
: marked by integrity
honest merchants
b
: marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression : frank
an honest appraisal
an honest discussion
1
: in a genuine or honest (see honest entry 1) manner : honestly
I have ever found thee honest true—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
: with all sincerity
I didn't do it, honest
Synonyms
Examples of honest in a Sentence
Adjective
He says that it's impossible to find an honest politician.
These criminals pose a danger to honest citizens.
He has an honest face.
Just give me an honest answer.
If you want my honest opinion, you should get a job.
To be perfectly honest, I don't want to go.
He gave us a painfully honest account of his childhood.
It was an honest error.
He still goes to the office every morning and puts in an honest day's work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Healthy relationships, open or closed, involve honest communication.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Find ways to enhance that collaborative effort in practical ways, such as creating safe spaces for more honest communication or implementing communications standards across your organization.
4.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
When asked about what his team did for the 2-hour, 38-minute weather delay that split 60 minutes of slobber-knocking Cowboys defenders, his response was honest and on brand.
—Matthew Self, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for honest 
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Adjective
This leads to an honest and bracing conversation about the nature of addiction.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Healthy relationships, open or closed, involve honest communication.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Find ways to enhance that collaborative effort in practical ways, such as creating safe spaces for more honest communication or implementing communications standards across your organization.
4.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
When asked about what his team did for the 2-hour, 38-minute weather delay that split 60 minutes of slobber-knocking Cowboys defenders, his response was honest and on brand.
—Matthew Self, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for honest
Articles Related to honest
Dictionary Entries Near honest
Cite this Entry
“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honest. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
honest
1 of 2 adjective
hon·est
ˈän-əst 
1
: free from fraud or trickery : truthful
an honest plea
3
: good in the eyes of society : respectable
poor but honest people
4
honest
2 of 2 adverb
: to tell the truth : I mean it
I didn't do it, honest I didn't
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