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.

His entry was raw and honest and he won.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

Her advice to L.A. daters: be forthcoming and honest about your wants and needs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"I don't know if this is right, to be honest," Jimin says at one point, after listening to an earlier version of the song, with a longer sample of Arirang.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Tradwife content whitewashes history, but an honest look shows that contempt for housewives was a widespread theme in the past.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

If I am being honest, I was thinking of how rarely servants survive the death of their masters.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

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