honest

[on-ist] / ˈɒn ɪst /

ADJECTIVE

truthful, candid

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authentic conscientious decent equitable fair forthright genuine honorable impartial proper reliable sincere straightforward true trustworthy virtuous

WEAK

aboveboard bona fide direct ethical fair and square frank high-minded ingenuous just law-abiding lay it on the line like it is no lie on the level on the up and up open outright plain real reputable scrupulous straight true blue trusty undisguised unfeigned upfront upright veracious what you see is what you get

Antonyms

STRONGEST

biased corrupt counterfeit deceitful deceptive devious dishonest false insincere irresponsible partial prejudiced unfair unjust unreal unreasonable unreliable unsuitable untrustworthy

WEAK

fraudulent lying misleading treacherous untruthful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I’ve noted before the show’s Bill Whitaker pushing aside the UFO baby talk to give an honest account of enemy drones in U.S. military training sites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

It isn’t histrionic; it is honest, and it is awful — but those are the accurate emotions.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

“I don’t know what they’re going to do, to be honest with you,” Duffy said.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“We want to express how sorry we are that these principled, fair and honest journalists were treated so shabbily, with such indecency,” they wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

“I’ve learned my lesson. No more wooing rich widows for me! No more crackpot schemes about ostrich racing! I’ll stick to good honest ballooning from now on.”

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

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