HONEST Synonyms: 401 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

honest

adjective

ˈä-nəst

Definition of honest next

as in outspoken

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honorable

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue an area populated by honest and industrious farm folk

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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

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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

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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

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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

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as in authentic

being exactly as appears or as claimed a restaurant serving honest down-home Southern cooking

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For

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an honest effort

a genuine effort

a sincere effort

an authentic effort

an earnest effort

a heartfelt effort

honest work

respectable work

honorable work

selfless work

earnest work

genuine work

an honest answer

a truthful answer

a genuine answer

an accurate answer

a frank answer

a straightforward 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 The former prosecutor who spoke on background said the memo’s message about honest prosecutors not needing to worry was hard to square with the recent firings of dozens of investigators who probed the insurrection. —

Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025 Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive. —

Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025 One mom's honest video on Instagram has other parents and experts agreeing. —

Hannah Silverman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2025 It really hasn’t been discussed to be honest with you. —

Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for honest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest

Adjective

And university leaders fearing government investigations, funding cuts, or punitive endowment taxes crack down on campus protest, remove or demote outspoken professors, and remain silent in the face of growing authoritarianism.

— STEVEN LEVITSKY, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
The Miami Dolphins have reportedly made their decision on wide receiver Tyreek Hill after weeks of speculation that the organization was looking to trade the outspoken star.

— Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025