as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
I valued her forthrightness in telling me she didn't like being called "Susie"
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Recent Examples of forthrightness
WalletHub has studied deferred interest since 2012, periodically flagging retailers that offer the loans and rating their financing offers on transparency and forthrightness.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025
Monique’s penchant for forthrightness, almost to the point of abruptness, is what makes her reintegration to the cast fascinating already.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
For parents, the name of the game is forthrightness.
—Nona Han, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
The elections have vindicated Move Forward’s forthrightness, confirming that citizens want a national conversation about the monarchy.
—Tamara Loos, Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forthrightness
Noun
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Once Venus, Mercury and the sun finally move into Aquarius, the trajectory of our love lives will shift gears entirely, as this Air sign encourages honesty, friendship and independence.—
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Our guide gives you the best strategies to handle lying and deception at every stage and smart ways to teach your child the value of honesty.—
Noun
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Know that conversations deserve deep sincerity.—
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Part of what comes to me, Roxana, is my sincerity and my earnestness.—
Noun
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off those comments as an example of the president’s frankness.—
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Their frankness and loyalty are also notable when the call is in.—
Noun
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While not perfect, Johnson was involved in many of Palace’s best attacking moments and brought directness and purpose, qualities that have been lacking in their game since Ismaila Sarr left just before Christmas to play for Senegal in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.—
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Learn to handle directness without getting defensive.—
Noun
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This team has responded well to that bluntness.—
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But his departure — and the bluntness of Spurs’ attacks here — indicate the importance of the January window.—
Noun
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Her question, in Lipe-Smith’s inquisitive piccolo of a voice, is heartbreaking in its blend of straightforwardness and desperate desire, as is her mother’s wavering response.—
Noun
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Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.—
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Mirren’s sharp wit, undaunted candor and natural grace is further amplified in a playful, almost naughty swag girl way about her.—
Noun
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Kirk's outspokenness helped dissuade those fears.—
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While the rise of GLP-1s brings a myriad of valid concerns − such as its contribution to disordered eating and promotion of thinness as the ideal body type − Williams' outspokenness is a crucial, balanced example of healthy and transparent GLP-1 usage.—
Cite this Entry
“Forthrightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forthrightness. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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