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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 Austen gets brutally honest about his longstanding friendship with Craig, forcing the group to reflect on which friendships can continue. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025 Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive. Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2025 Sullivan personally tested Merit’s Signature Lip Liner to write this honest review. Claire Sullivan, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025 The first step in harnessing envy productively is honest self-reflection. Marco Buscaglia, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • Duckworth, herself a disabled veteran, has been particularly outspoken, calling the Administration’s actions a betrayal.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The actress, whose big break came in another big musical, the remake of West Side Story, has drawn her own controversy for being a little bit outspoken, there is that.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That his record is treated as honorable, rather than hushed up and relegated to the trash bin of history, is a sour commentary on heroism and distinction in modern America.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • While displaying little to no respect for the millions of Americans who have made public service a proud and honorable profession, ironically, Musk’s companies have received tens of billions of dollars from the federal government over the years in federal contracts.
    Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 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 Substack offers an unfiltered, genuine take on navigating the marketplace, from the highs of scoring a rare vintage gem to the lows of watching the dream item go out of stock.
    Gaby Keiderling, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Leaders must cultivate new skills to recognize complexity, evaluate situations accurately, and respond with genuine agility rather than default behaviors.
    Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sisters star and older sister of Tammy and Amy Slaton posted a photo on Instagram alongside her boyfriend, getting candid about her struggles in the caption.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Others chimed in with their own candid photography stories.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The conscientious ones showed their value through results.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • In Texas, parents must get an affidavit notarized to have a valid conscientious exemption for their child.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Japan is known for great, authentic luxury, and the seller has great reviews on eBay (and TikTok).
    Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
  • To find one-of-a-kind spots around the globe that offer transformative experiences, tempting travelers to venture farther and embrace the authentic.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Actors train for years and years and still can’t really master what Owen has mastered, which is basically just being in the moment and listening and being truthful.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In her own memo to staff later in the week, Lake cited comments made by former President John F. Kennedy upon the 20th anniversary of Voice of America that the task is to tell America's story around the world and do it in a way that is truthful.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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