TBH
5 synonyms for TBH, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Abbreviation — To be honest: used in messages and online posts to introduce a frank opinion, often one that is slightly critical or unexpected.
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.
How to use TBH
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tbh I think
not great tbh
tbh idk
honestly tbh
Informal; ubiquitous in texting and social media, out of place in professional writing.
Etymology
An initialism of "to be honest".
Full origin of TBH →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TBH and NGL?
Both soften a frank statement. TBH ("to be honest") introduces a candid opinion; NGL ("not gonna lie") more often introduces an admission the speaker finds slightly embarrassing. NGL is the more casual and more recent of the two.
What is the difference between TBH and IMO?
IMO ("in my opinion") marks a statement as personal opinion and is fairly neutral. TBH signals that you are being blunt or saying something the other person may not want to hear, so it carries more social weight.
Where do you put TBH in a sentence?
Either end works. At the start it warns that honesty is coming; at the end it softens what you have just said, like a shrug. Mid-sentence use is rare.
