Definitions

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.

Bosses often struggle to get honest feedback from direct reports, who are “psychologically programmed to reassure” them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

And, to be honest, I didn’t think they would be that hard to avoid as I got older.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

Honestly, I just tried to make something as honest and authentic and vulnerable as possible, if that doesn’t sound too eye-rolly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

A trillion is a thousand times more than a billion, but let’s be honest: I could have told you it was a million times more and you probably would have believed me.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I even fancy going swimming with that crowd, but it’s better than being left out.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Vocabulary lists containing honest

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act IV

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