frankness
Speaking without filter
Frankness is the quality of speaking openly and directly, without concealment or evasion.
Someone with frankness says what they think even when it might be uncomfortable: I appreciated her frankness about my chances of getting the job.
The word implies honesty but can shade toward bluntness—frankness is admired when tactful, less so when brutal.
Quality of being accessible
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
- guilelessnessAbsence of cunning
- ingenuousnessInnocent frankness, without cunning
- artlessnessSincere, unfeigned manner
unpretentiousness · genuineness · naivety · simplicity · innocence · unguardedness · vulnerability · childlike
Moral soundness and consistency
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- transparencyState of being see-through
- veracityConformity to fact
- forthrightnessQuality of being direct
uprightness · authenticity · trustworthiness · straightforwardness · honor · conscience · scrupulousness · probity
Directly honest in manner
- brusqueAbrupt and dismissive
- curtAbruptly rude in speech
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- tactlessInsensitive in manner
undiplomatic · gruff · plain-spoken · unfiltered · unvarnished · sharp · harsh · unceremonious
Quality of being straightforward
- explicitnessQuality of being unambiguous
- unambiguousAllowing single interpretation only
- unequivocalAllowing one meaning only
- clear-cutPlainly evident, unmistakable
no-nonsense · precise · lucid · straightforward · unmistakable · matter-of-fact · plain · crystal-clear
openness
Quality of being accessible
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
- guilelessnessAbsence of cunning
- ingenuousnessInnocent frankness, without cunning
artlessness · unpretentiousness · genuineness · naivety · simplicity · innocence · unguardedness · vulnerability · childlike · unsophisticated
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- transparencyState of being see-through
- veracityConformity to fact
forthrightness · uprightness · authenticity · trustworthiness · straightforwardness · honor · conscience · scrupulousness · probity · rectitude
forthright
Directly honest in manner
tactless · undiplomatic · gruff · plain-spoken · unfiltered · unvarnished · sharp · harsh · unceremonious · point-blank
directness
Quality of being straightforward
- explicitnessQuality of being unambiguous
- unambiguousAllowing single interpretation only
- unequivocalAllowing one meaning only
clear-cut · no-nonsense · precise · lucid · straightforward · unmistakable · matter-of-fact · plain · crystal-clear · articulate
- Get to the Pointcut to the chase, bottom line, in a nutshell, spit it out, long story short
- assertivenessassertiveness, boldness, directness, speaking up, firmness
- authenticityauthentic, genuine, real, fake, counterfeit
- Blunt honestyblunt, candid, direct, honest, forthright
- candordirectness, bluntness, candor, straightforwardness, openness
- honestyhonesty, truthfulness, candor, sincerity, dishonesty
franknessindirection
Roundabout method or approach
evasiveness · circuitousness · obliqueness · circumlocution · equivocation
franknesssecretiveness
Inclination to conceal
reticence · reserve · concealment · guardedness · closeness
franknessdiplomacy
Negotiation between nations
tactfulness · discretion · delicacy · circumspection · politeness