dishonesty

noun

dis·​hon·​es·​ty (ˌ)dis-ˈä-nə-stē How to pronounce dishonesty (audio)
also (ˌ)diz-
Synonyms of dishonestynext
1
: lack of honesty or integrity : disposition to defraud or deceive
2
: a dishonest act : fraud

Synonyms of dishonesty

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Examples of dishonesty in a Sentence

Are you accusing him of dishonesty? her dishonesty about what happened
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Good ex-etiquette is about refusing to let someone else’s dishonesty determine your character or your choices. — Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026 Cambridge has since opened a fresh investigation following new information, and Arday has resigned while denying dishonesty and acknowledging mistakes. — Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 No interest in the contradictions, the hypocrisy, the inappropriate media friendships, the dishonesty about lockdowns, the lab leak, or masks. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 The detective-heroines (and especially the actress-detectives) in this canon are careful about how performance might be extended to social duplicity, dishonesty, and fraud—but the lady criminals of Victorian detective fiction cross this line easily. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dishonesty

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dishonesty was in 1589

Rhymes for dishonesty

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Browse Nearby Words

dishonestly
dishonesty
dishonor
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Cite this Entry

“Dishonesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dishonesty. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dishonesty

noun
dis·​hon·​es·​ty (ˈ)dis-ˈän-ə-stē How to pronounce dishonesty (audio)
: lack of honesty : the quality of being dishonest

More from Merriam-Webster on dishonesty

Nglish: Translation of dishonesty for Spanish Speakers

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