Definitions

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 didn't expect it to blow up the way that it did if I'm being honest," Jordan admitted.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

“That is the honest answer and that’s going to be painful and difficult. But we’ll get it done,” Musk said on the earnings call.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

One had to be honest: Florida juice was “just not at the quality it used to be.”

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Some of that is deliberate cheating; some, maybe more, is from honest mistakes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

Reading my mind is clearly not Dad’s gift, so I have to be honest with him.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Vocabulary lists containing honest

Positive Words to Describe a Person

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The Silent Treatment: Words Plagued by Silent Letters

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act IV

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