honest
22 synonyms and 4 antonyms for honest, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Telling the truth and not inclined to lie, cheat, or steal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use honest
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French honeste, from Latin honestus, related to honor.
Full origin of honest →Frequently asked questions
What does “honest” mean?
The word “honest” means telling the truth and not inclined to lie, cheat, or steal. In plain terms, truthful and trustworthy — not lying, cheating, or hiding things.
How do you pronounce “honest”?
“Honest” is pronounced ON-ihst (/ˈɑ.nɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “honest” in a sentence?
Here is “honest” used in a sentence: “She's always been honest with me, even when the truth was uncomfortable.”
What is another word for “honest”?
Words with a similar meaning to “honest” include earnest, fair dinkum, forthright, upfront, foursquare and frank.
What is the opposite of “honest”?
The opposite of “honest” — its antonyms — are dishonest, hypocritical, insincere and shady.
What part of speech is “honest”?
“Honest” is an adjective.
Where does the word “honest” come from?
The word “honest” comes from Latin. From Old French honeste, from Latin honestus, related to honor.
Is “honest” a common word?
“Honest” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'honest' and 'truthful'?
Truthful focuses narrowly on telling the truth — not saying false things. Honest is broader: an honest person tells the truth but is also fair and trustworthy, not inclined to cheat or steal. So all truthful behavior is honest, but honesty covers integrity in actions as well as words.
What is the opposite of 'honest'?
The main opposites are 'dishonest' and 'deceitful', describing someone who lies, cheats, or misleads. Related opposites include 'crooked', 'untrustworthy', and 'fraudulent'. Where an honest person can be relied on to tell the truth and play fair, a dishonest one cannot.
Is 'honest' a positive word?
Yes. Honesty is widely regarded as a core virtue, so calling someone honest is a compliment about their character and reliability. The phrase 'to be honest' can preface a blunt opinion, but even then it frames the speaker as sincere rather than dishonest.