forthrightly

adverb

as in openly
in an honest and direct manner the police commissioner forthrightly and unhesitatingly admitted his mistake

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 forthrightly 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 The appeals on stage spoke forthrightly about God, usually in explicitly Christian terms. — Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025 This absolute confidentiality helps give penitents the confidence to approach confession forthrightly, without holding back. — Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025 His exile, rather than marginalizing him, gave him the rare platform from which to speak forthrightly. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthrightly
  1. openly
  2. sincerely
  3. honestly
  4. straightforward
  5. straightforwardly
  6. plainly
  7. abruptly
Adverb
  • The Tate brothers, who openly describe themselves as misogynists, built a global following by promoting a lavish, hypermasculine lifestyle through their social media empire.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point reports that veteran foreign jihadists now openly call al-Sharaa a sellout.
    — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of openly
Adverb
  • Most of these programs are offered through wholesale channels rather than the retail bank on the corner, which is why the loan officer at a national depository may sincerely believe no such option exists.
    — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • It’s routinely thrown around online, both sincerely and in jest, to describe anything that feels inauthentic.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sincerely
Adverb
  • Build your corner deliberately, tend it honestly and be just as willing to stand in someone else’s.
    — Jeanan Yasiri Moe, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • And honestly, that’s kind of the best joke there is — some classic America’s Funniest Home Videos type stuff.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • Through a layered and deeply nuanced performance, Cardellini transforms what could have been a straightforward femme fatale into a fiercely compelling protagonist.
    — Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
  • The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
Definition of straightforward
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
  • The Cost Of Overthinking The answers models generate are plainly visible to all.
    — Don Schuerman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Specifically, the meeting minutes reveal that when asked to assess the appropriate interest rate level by the end of this year, Fed officials were plainly split into two camps.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of plainly
Adverb
  • Another shock to the neighborhood came in May, when Caputo’s Bake Shop, a Court Street landmark for 124 years, abruptly shut down.
    — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This is one family’s experience of their last year in Connecticut after major hospitals abruptly ended gender-affirming medical care for trans youth.
    — Dr. SJ Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of abruptly

Browse Nearby Words

forthright
forthrightly
forthrightness
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Cite this Entry

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

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