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 see the world getting worse and worse these days to be honest," Davies says.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

If I'm being honest, two percent is not enough, and so two percent is freeloading.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

The new indictment adds charges of bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy to the existing two wire fraud charges he has faced since October.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Europeans are easily spooked, but they also increasingly think the U.S. isn’t an honest broker.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Danny couldn’t help but feel that she wasn’t being honest.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

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