honesty

noun

hon·​es·​ty ˈä-nə-stē How to pronounce honesty (audio)
plural honesties
Synonyms of honesty
1
a
: adherence to the facts : sincerity
doubted the honesty of the witness
b
: fairness and straightforwardness of conduct
calling for honesty in politics
2
[probably so called from the translucence of the siliques] : any of a genus (Lunaria) of European and southwest Asian plants of the mustard family that have toothed hairy leaves, small white or violet flowers, and flat silvery seedpods that are siliques
especially : a European biennial (Lunaria annua) that is often grown for its ornamental disk-shaped seedpods : money plant sense 1
3
obsolete : chastity

Synonyms of honesty

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honesty, honor, integrity, probity mean uprightness of character or action.

honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Examples of honesty in a Sentence

She is admired for her kindness and her honesty. He demands honesty from everyone who works for him. He didn't even have enough honesty to tell me he was leaving.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In an era of parasocial pop stardom, the radical honesty of Cyrus’ approach — her clear-eyed appraisal of the relationship that binds an idol and her audience — was kind of a thrill to behold. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Consistent honesty builds trust, which is necessary to make people feel stable when the world is not. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The minister presented al-Shahat and his wife with certificates of appreciation, and awarded them a trip to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in recognition of his honesty and responsible conduct for not keeping the discovery to himself. — Ahmed Shawkat, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 In a world that rewards keeping appearances, Space Afrika makes conveying honesty and vulnerability look easy. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honesty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English honeste, honestie "honorable position, good name, propriety of behavior, moral purity, chastity," borrowed from Anglo-French honesté, borrowed from Latin honestāt-, honestās "honorableness, moral rectitude, decency," by haplology from *honestitāt-, *honestitās, from honestus "of good repute, morally worthy" + -itāt-, -itās -ity; (sense 2) probably so called from the translucence of the siliques — more at honest entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of honesty was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing honesty

Rhymes for honesty

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Browse Nearby Words

honest with (someone)
honesty
honesty is the best policy
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Cite this Entry

“Honesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honesty. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

honesty

noun
hon·​es·​ty ˈän-ə-stē How to pronounce honesty (audio)
: the quality or state of being honest

More from Merriam-Webster on honesty

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about honesty

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