dishonest

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst How to pronounce dishonest (audio)
Definition of dishonestnext
1
as in misleading
telling or containing lies I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows dishonest statements on the claims form

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception dishonest car dealers who roll back mileage gauges dishonest business deals that landed him in jail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in false
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value dishonest appraisals of art works that were part of an elaborate scheme to defraud insurance companies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dishonest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dishonest are deceitful, mendacious, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than dishonest?

While the synonyms deceitful and dishonest are close in meaning, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When might mendacious be a better fit than dishonest?

The words mendacious and dishonest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

When could untruthful be used to replace dishonest?

The words untruthful and dishonest can be used in similar contexts, but untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dishonest In response to Simmons’s claims, O’Hare said Tuesday that Simmons is being completely dishonest. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026 Of course, the senior consultant wasn't actually calling customers dishonest. — Natalie Lemke, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 There is an endless list of important takeaways from the new information, notably that Fauci was repeatedly and purposefully dishonest in order to get the public to comply with his policies and recommendations. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 The state agency said clinic staffers had clients sign a personal injury waiver, which the commission said was unenforceable, against public policy and deceptive and dishonest. — Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dishonest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonest
  1. misleading
  2. fraudulent
  3. false
  4. erroneous
  5. deceptive
  6. mendacious
  7. crooked
  8. untruthful
Adjective
  • Blanche is also confronting growing distrust of the Justice Department among judges, who in multiple cases have accused government lawyers of withholding information or misleading courts.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Both made misleading statements when questioned by authorities, according to the lawsuit.
    — Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of misleading
Adjective
  • Tashia McKenzie, 36, faces one count each of fraudulent claim or receipt of benefits and second-degree larceny, the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said in a news release Tuesday.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Verification can be particularly important because fraudulent job listings have become a concern for applicants and job platforms alike.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraudulent
Adjective
  • Another false dawn was Manchester City’s bright start in a 2-0 win over Chelsea, without the man who had just been named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, Rodri.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In turn, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios filed a defamation suit, which claimed Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, had planted false claims in order to take over creative control of the film.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of false
Adjective
  • Towers told ProPublica that the audit had reached erroneous conclusions, that the auditors did not give him the opportunity to fully defend his work and that the journal’s willingness to stand by the study is proof that his research is sound.
    — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026
  • For example, antiquarian scholars introduced the erroneous notion that druids built stone circles—most notably Stonehenge—for their ceremonies, an idea that became embedded in the popular imagination during the 18th century.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • Meta will be subject to an injunction prohibiting it from making further false, misleading, or deceptive statements around its safety features.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The agency has said deceptive or unfair data practices can violate existing consumer protection laws.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • The 2026 State of the Union speech stands in contrast, a speech by a mendacious demagogue who has degraded his listeners by debauching their instincts.
    — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation.
    — Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of mendacious
Adjective
  • Cowin soon shifted to straighter technical methods applied to crooked storylines.
    — Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In addition, there are crooked cops on the inside trying to spring El Chapo, so the arresting officers need to quickly figure out who to trust.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • In February, federal authorities launched an investigation into two federal immigration agents who appeared to have made untruthful statements under oath regarding a nonfatal shooting of an immigrant in Minneapolis in January.
    — Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • This inquiry identified insufficient evidence to conclude that Garcia knowingly made an untruthful statement.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of untruthful

Browse Nearby Words

dishing out
dishonest
dishonestly
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Cite this Entry

“Dishonest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonest. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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