CANDIDLY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

candidly

adverb

Definition of candidly

as in openly

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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 candidly The film has drawn the somewhat odd criticism — also cited, candidly, in a review from his publication — that the story is told almost exclusively from the point of view of Israelis, a complaint to which Cohen responds thoughtfully. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The 82-year-old actor writes candidly about infidelity, addiction, his son’s imprisonment and his battle with oral cancer, while reflecting on the costs of a life in show business and his love for California. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The two giggled momentarily before Quiñonez turned back and answered candidly. — Jake McCreven, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 Kushner has spoken candidly about both his Phoenix investment and his role as a peace broker, arguing that financial profit is the best path toward lasting peace. — Allegra Goodwin, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Pritzker deserves credit for speaking candidly about the treatment that has worked for him and helping confront the stigma that still surrounds obesity and its treatment. — Disha Narang, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 In August, a month prior to Presley’s death, his sister praised his approach to speaking so candidly on the personal subject. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026 Gerber had been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, speaking candidly about treatment after being charged with a DUI in 2019. — Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026 Presley had been increasingly open in recent years about his mental health and struggles with substance use, using his own experiences to encourage others to speak more candidly about issues that are often kept private. — Travis Cronin, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidly

Adverb

First Proof’s rules require any entrants to be openly available, so OpenAI’s blockbuster new model was excluded.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Hollywood should be a city where Jewish residents can live openly, safely and proudly, without intimidation, hatred or antisemitism.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of openly

Adverb

The program leader spoke honestly about the work and the difference philanthropic support could make.

— Karen Cochran, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The slip-ons have a clog-like feel, but the low-profile silhouette looks so luxurious—honestly, they could be mistaken for The Row.

— Melony Forcier, InStyle, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of honestly

Adverb

The win won’t change what’s frankly been an unacceptable campaign for a program that was 18-1-4 just two seasons ago.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
But frankly, that sounds apocryphal, like a movie scene — which is helpful, because there is a film in development.

— Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of frankly

Adverb

Foley has been the one board member who has forthrightly stood up for oversight and accountability on every key issue.

— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Coming off the ice, Malinin forthrightly congratulated the winner, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, as if to communicate that Shaidorov won the prize from his own efforts, not from Malinin’s failure.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Definition of forthrightly

Adverb

The Eagles were, however, baldly ambitious from the start, a band that formed with the express mission of writing hits, getting famous, getting laid, getting rich.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Their cute, elderly golden retriever, Cassie, is used for such baldly emotionally manipulative ends.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of baldly

Adverb

Not the layoffs, the mergers, the rampant unemployment, and the fear that comes with it — all of that and more unreservedly sucks.

— Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of unreservedly

Adverb

While the use of AI in the filmmaking process remains a delicate topic in Hollywood, Wall Street has a more straightforwardly Darwinian view.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
In her final Facebook post, Josée straightforwardly leaves a link to the time and place of her funeral.

— Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of straightforwardly

Adverb

Writing for Apartment Therapy, Noella Williams put the case plainly.

— Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Yann LeCun, the Turing laureate who ran Meta’s AI research for a decade before leaving in November 2025 to found Advanced Machine Intelligence Labs, has been saying it plainly since 2023.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of plainly

Browse Nearby Words

candidates

candidly

candidness

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“Candidly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidly. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of candidly

adverb

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