aboveboard

adjective

Definition of aboveboardnext
as in honest
straightforward in manner The committee tried to be fair and aboveboard in its hiring. an aboveboard and responsible proposal

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of aboveboard The sheriff’s office certainly knew that an enormous marijuana black market — orders of magnitude larger than its aboveboard counterpart — still thrived in California, despite legalization or maybe because of it. — Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026 None of this is technically aboveboard, but these dirty little cheaters are the entire heart and soul of this show right now. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026 Spending cuts should be made in an aboveboard way, however, not by tripping up Americans with bureaucratic landmines. — Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 26 Dec. 2025 This is handy because the AI will not hold back if the therapist insists that the AI be aboveboard and blunt. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aboveboard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aboveboard
  1. honest
  2. reliable
  3. trustworthy
  4. dependable
Adjective
  • Jones turned in a yeoman's effort, going 22-35 for 155 passing yards and two touchdowns while also keeping the Longhorn defense honest with his legs.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In McDonnell, his supporters say, the mayor has an honest and principled leader who has managed to steady a department beset by low morale, dwindling staffing levels and aging facilities.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Democrats have circled Alaska, a typically reliable Republican state, as a winnable seat in their bid to flip the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Both problems threatened the precise control required for reliable quantum experiments.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of reliable
Adjective
  • Building stronger, more trustworthy institutions will boost growth and make the country a better partner.
    — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There are these mental gymnastics that people have to do to figure out what is really a trustworthy recommendation these days.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of trustworthy
Adjective
  • Of course, when presented with an overwhelming number of options, most of us end up seeking comfort in dependable outfit formulas instead of taking risks.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Its advice to brands is to balance dependable colors with unexpected pairings, giving texture and material choice a larger role in product development.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of dependable

Browse Nearby Words

above
aboveboard
aboveground
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Cite this Entry

“Aboveboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aboveboard. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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