honest
Telling the truth
Honest describes someone who tells the truth and doesn't deceive.
An honest answer is truthful; an honest mistake is genuine, not deliberate.
To be honest or honest to God emphasizes sincerity.
Honest work is legitimate and respectable.
The word implies straightforwardness—an honest assessment doesn't sugarcoat.
He's honest to a fault.
Accurate and sincere
- veraciousInclined toward truth
- factualGrounded in truth
- accurateConforming to fact
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
credible · verifiable · undisguised · unvarnished · objective · unbiased · realistic · literal
Genuinely felt, not feigned
- genuineTruly what it claims
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
- earnestSincerely intense in purpose
- authenticVerified as original
unfeigned · real · true · wholehearted · unpretentious · unaffected · artless · guileless
Open and direct
- candidHonest and direct
- directUndeviating or to guide
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
straightforward · outspoken · plainspoken · unguarded · unreserved · heart-to-heart · explicit · unambiguous
Concerning right conduct
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- virtuousMorally excellent, principled
righteous · noble · conscientious · scrupulous · just · fair · equitable · incorruptible
Worthy of confidence
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- dependableWorthy of trust
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
- loyalFirm in allegiance
steadfast · true-blue · devoted · constant · unwavering · committed · dedicated · responsible
Allowing light through
- openNot closed
- forthcomingSoon to appear
- candidHonest and direct
- aboveboardHonest and unconcealed
clear · visible · disclosed · revealed · exposed · apparent · accessible · accountable
truthful
Accurate and sincere
reliable · credible · verifiable · undisguised · unvarnished · objective · unbiased · realistic · literal · matter-of-fact
sincere
Genuinely felt, not feigned
authentic · unfeigned · real · true · wholehearted · unpretentious · unaffected · artless · guileless · ingenuous
frank
Open and direct
forthright · straightforward · outspoken · plainspoken · unguarded · unreserved · heart-to-heart · explicit · unambiguous · no-nonsense
moral
Concerning right conduct
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- uprightVertical or morally sound
virtuous · righteous · noble · conscientious · scrupulous · just · fair · equitable · incorruptible · upstanding
trustworthy
Worthy of confidence
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- dependableWorthy of trust
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
loyal · steadfast · true-blue · devoted · constant · unwavering · committed · dedicated · responsible · accountable
transparent
Allowing light through
- openNot closed
- forthcomingSoon to appear
- candidHonest and direct
aboveboard · clear · visible · disclosed · revealed · exposed · apparent · accessible · accountable · audit
- authenticityauthentic, genuine, real, fake, counterfeit
- Blunt honestyblunt, candid, direct, frank, forthright
- complimentssmart, talented, beautiful, funny, awesome
- fairnessfair play, fair shake, fair treatment, fair and square, fair share
- feedbackcomment, comments, constructive, complaint, reviews
- integrityintegrity, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude, probity
honestdishonest
Inclined to deceive
lying · untruthful · deceitful · mendacious · deceptive
honestcorrupt
Dishonest, open to bribes
crooked · dishonest · unscrupulous · fraudulent · unethical
- be honestSpeak without deception
- to be honestPhrase preceding candor
- being honestStating facts sincerely
- in all honestyPhrase preceding sincere statement
- honest mistakeUnintended error without deception
- honest to GodEmphatic assertion of truthfulness
honesty, honestly, dishonest, dishonesty, dishonestly, honest-to-goodness, honest broker