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.

Nacua’s “security in being able to be authentically honest about” seeking help was admirable, coach Sean McVay said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

“It makes me a little bit sad, to be honest, that there isn’t a better way of getting these long-suffering fans in at a more reasonable rate,” Fong said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

But he said he will be "honest" if there are "blocks in the road" that stop the government moving as quickly as it wanted.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

The longtime executive producer of “60 Minutes,” Bill Owens, had already walked out the door, saying he had “lost the independence that honest journalism requires.”

From Salon • May 27, 2026

To be honest, I had never taken that much notice.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

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