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.

He’s just bracingly honest and notoriously wobbly when asked to verbalize the significance of everything and anything — from his poetically dense lyricism to the whole of his revered music career.

From Los Angeles Times • 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

"The door's shut and you're in someone's house… I was young, I didn't really know what to really do, to be honest."

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

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

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m surprised you’re following through. I thought for sure you wouldn’t get the money together.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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