1
2
a
: reputable, respectable
honest decent people
3
: worthy of praise
an honest day's work
put forth an honest effort
4
a
: marked by integrity
honest merchants
b
: marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression : frank
an honest appraisal
an honest discussion
1
: in a genuine or honest (see honest entry 1) manner : honestly
I have ever found thee honest true—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
: with all sincerity
I didn't do it, honest
Synonyms
Examples of honest in a Sentence
Adjective
He says that it's impossible to find an honest politician.
These criminals pose a danger to honest citizens.
He has an honest face.
Just give me an honest answer.
If you want my honest opinion, you should get a job.
To be perfectly honest, I don't want to go.
He gave us a painfully honest account of his childhood.
It was an honest error.
He still goes to the office every morning and puts in an honest day's work.
Recent Examples on the WebFrancesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
His direct and sometimes harsh criticisms, and Carmichael’s honest responses to them, make the show stronger and more well-rounded.
—Miriam Katz, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Kelsea Ballerini talks honest songwriting, preparing to host CMT Awards
How are earthquakes measured?
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Start by being honest about your motives rather than creating contrived rationalizations for your desires to restrict the freedoms of Americans.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
In recent months, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan and Fed chairman Jerome Powell have been calling for an open and honest conversation about how to shrink America’s $34 trillion public debt pile.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
Recommended An honest hearing in Gibraltar The paradox is that people already offer up enormous amounts of personal data to Google, Facebook, and other companies that are not only foreign but also governed independently, Mr. Viik says.
—Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2024
The formula for her virality looked something like this: brutally honest observations divided by deadpan delivery plus beauty products minus the fluffy commentary that usually goes with them.
—Dianna Mazzone Singh, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
Individuals are seen as less honest, less competent, less intelligent.
—New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Adjective
In a May 2018 interview with Angie Martinez, Cole opened up about his mom’s reaction to his honest storytelling in his music, including less glamorous moments from his childhood.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
His direct and sometimes harsh criticisms, and Carmichael’s honest responses to them, make the show stronger and more well-rounded.
—Miriam Katz, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Kelsea Ballerini talks honest songwriting, preparing to host CMT Awards
How are earthquakes measured?
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Start by being honest about your motives rather than creating contrived rationalizations for your desires to restrict the freedoms of Americans.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
In recent months, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan and Fed chairman Jerome Powell have been calling for an open and honest conversation about how to shrink America’s $34 trillion public debt pile.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
Recommended An honest hearing in Gibraltar The paradox is that people already offer up enormous amounts of personal data to Google, Facebook, and other companies that are not only foreign but also governed independently, Mr. Viik says.
—Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2024
The formula for her virality looked something like this: brutally honest observations divided by deadpan delivery plus beauty products minus the fluffy commentary that usually goes with them.
—Dianna Mazzone Singh, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
Individuals are seen as less honest, less competent, less intelligent.
—New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'honest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to honest
Dictionary Entries Near honest
Cite this Entry
“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honest. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
honest
1 of 2 adjective
hon·est
ˈän-əst 
1
: free from fraud or trickery : truthful
an honest plea
3
: good in the eyes of society : respectable
poor but honest people
4
honest
2 of 2 adverb
: to tell the truth : I mean it
I didn't do it, honest I didn't
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