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.

Here’s the truth: We all, if we are honest, have something we could be doing differently or better.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Have prime ministers forgotten how to make arguments, to present their parties and voters with honest policy choices or trade-offs?

From BBC • May 16, 2026

If we are honest, we all judge people for having too much money or too little, whether we like to admit it or not.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

"They are overwhelmingly polite, decent, honest, straightforward - when we talk about the community, the teenagers are a part of our community too."

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Greely’s Tribune stayed open to the idea that spirit communication might be real and the sisters honest.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing honest

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