frankly
Without holding back
Frankly signals that what follows is honest and direct, possibly blunt: Frankly, I don't care what he thinks.
It often introduces unwelcome truths or opinions the speaker feels compelled to share despite social discomfort.
The word can soften criticism by framing it as candor rather than hostility, though it sometimes does the opposite—announcing that diplomacy is being set aside.
In a truthful manner
- truthfullyWithout deception or lies
- sincerelyWith genuine feeling
- candidlyWithout concealment or evasion
- openlyWithout hiding anything
genuinely · transparently · unreservedly · forthrightly · plainly · straight-out · authentically · earnestly
Without intermediary steps
- straightforwardlyIn an uncomplicated way
- plainlyIn obvious fashion
- clearlyWithout ambiguity
- explicitlyStated in clear terms
unambiguously · unequivocally · pointedly · straight · outright · flat-out · simply · matter-of-factly
Speaking without diplomacy
- curtlyRudely brief in speech
- brusquelyIn an abrupt manner
- abruptlyWithout gradual transition
- terselyIn few words
gruffly · point-blank · tactlessly · undiplomatic · harshly · rudely · insensitively · unceremoniously
honestly
In a truthful manner
- truthfullyWithout deception or lies
- sincerelyWith genuine feeling
- candidlyWithout concealment or evasion
openly · genuinely · transparently · unreservedly · forthrightly · plainly · straight-out · authentically · earnestly · guileless
directly
Without intermediary steps
- straightforwardlyIn an uncomplicated way
- plainlyIn obvious fashion
- clearlyWithout ambiguity
explicitly · unambiguously · unequivocally · pointedly · straight · outright · flat-out · simply · matter-of-factly · succinctly
bluntly
Speaking without diplomacy
tersely · gruffly · point-blank · tactlessly · undiplomatic · harshly · rudely · insensitively · unceremoniously · sharply
- Candor Phrasesto be honest, truth be told, honestly, to tell the truth, if i'm being honest
- conversational hedgesjust saying, to be honest, honestly, truth be told, in my opinion
- sentence adverbsobviously, certainly, probably, possibly, perhaps
- fillersfiller, gap filler, filler material, caulk, grout
- evasionsno comment, dodge, deflection, hedging, equivocation
- persuasionpersuade, persuasion, persuasive, convince, convincing
franklydishonestly
In an untruthful manner
deceptively · evasively · deceitfully · insincerely · deviously
franklydiplomatically
With political finesse
tactfully · delicately · carefully · gently · politely
- Frank Sinatra
- to be frankSpeaking without concealment
- Anne Frank
- Frank Lloyd WrightPioneering American architect
- frankly speakingPreamble to candor
- Anne Frank HouseMuseum at historic hiding site