word of honor
Binding spoken commitment
A word of honor is a solemn promise staking one's reputation on its fulfillment.
Unlike casual promises, it invokes personal integrity as collateral: He gave his word of honor that he would return.
Breaking one's word of honor traditionally meant disgrace.
The phrase sounds formal or old-fashioned now, though the concept persists in oaths and vows.
- promiseCommitment to act
- solemn vowGrave, binding promise
- vowSolemn personal commitment
- pledgeBinding promise given
- trothPledged word of loyalty
commitment · gentleman's agreement · guarantee · oath · sworn oath · cross my heart · plight · parole · integrity · trustworthiness · sworn statement · loyalty · binding promise · assurance · bond · faithfulness · swear · affirmation
- commitmentsvow, pledge, oath, vows, promise
- honorintegrity, uprightness, rectitude, probity, good name
- trusttrust, believe, safety, reliability, belief
- informal agreementsverbal agreement, oral agreement, handshake deal, gentleman's agreement, verbal contract
- honor systemhonesty box, self-reporting, academic integrity, good faith, mutual trust
- honestyhonesty, truthfulness, candor, sincerity, dishonesty
word of honorbroken promise
Commitment not honored
lie · betrayal · false promise · empty promise · deception
word of honorcontract
Enforceable written agreement
binding contract · signed document · treaty · written agreement · legal agreement
word of honordishonor
Loss of respect
oath-breaking · perjury · faithlessness · disloyalty · cowardice
word, honor, words, honorable, dishonor, wording, honors, password, wordless