candidness

noun

Definition of candidnessnext
as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions candidness is something that we claim to admire—except when we are on the receiving end of a brutally honest assessment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 candidness The reassuring finding, across the research represented in the room at the CIFAR workshop, is that candidness about uncertainty generally maintains or builds trust rather than erodes it. — Aleeza Gerstein, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 Lee told the Queen that her husband’s candidness has encouraged many to feel more comfortable with their own cancer journeys. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2026 In conversation, Friedland is rapaciously curious, if slightly disorganized, prone to tangents that lead to a candidness that can verge on cringe or awkward. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 On May 29, Behar and her cohosts on The View reflected on recent comments from Rosie O'Donnell's about her facelift, praising her candidness. — Staff Author, InStyle, 29 May 2026 Some athletes early in this era proved that charisma and candidness coupled with their athletic skills could be highly lucrative. — Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026 The duo have become known for their candidness and light-hearted humor, frequently letting viewers in on the chaos of their real lives. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026 The title and author are set large in a text weight of Didot, echoing the candidness of the photo and the material. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025 Angela’s candidness on the season gave viewers a glimpse into her relationship with Charles, including the aftermath of the 2017 incident at Madison Square Garden and accusations of infidelity. — MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidness
  1. honesty
  2. sincerity
  3. frankness
  4. candor
  5. forthrightness
  6. directness
  7. bluntness
Noun
  • A little warmth will keep honesty from sounding like criticism.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That honesty, counterintuitively, builds more trust than advocacy.
    — Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of honesty
Noun
  • The human nervous system recognizes sincerity faster than polish.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Alter denounced Kanter Freedom as a bad-faith actor and questioned the sincerity of his concerns about transgender women in sports.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of sincerity
Noun
  • Written with grimy, enlivening frankness — and an ability to dig into moral ambiguity — every character scrambles to get a leg up.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • King walked into the room with impersonal frankness and sat on the bed beside me.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of frankness
Noun
  • There’s a certain grim candor about the president’s palatial ambitions for the executive mansion.
    — Jason Willick, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2026
  • According to another league source who spoke on the condition of anonymity for their candor, New Orleans has been interested in Mathurin since his time in Indiana and sees him as a potential long-term piece.
    — William Guillory, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of candor
Noun
  • Alvarado has had to address that in the wake of the film’s release, and perhaps that forthrightness has aided the box office.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • Your forthrightness will set the tone for future dates.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Definition of forthrightness
Noun
  • Palace missed Sarr’s directness, with summer signing Dwight McNeil, Eddie Nketiah and Mateta not showing a full understanding.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Marius, approaching 50, is a big doctor in this provincial city, not just a surgeon but the director of the hospital, and a man who prides himself on his directness and honesty.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of directness
Noun
  • What Premier League clubs have shifted away from is — and apologies for the bluntness here — tolerating goalkeepers who aren’t good enough at saving shots.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Venezuela native never shied away from bluntness — and profanity — in assessing players, plays, games or whatever.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bluntness

Browse Nearby Words

candidly
candidness
candied
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Candidness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidness. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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