HONORABLE Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'honorable' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honorable are conscientious , honest , just , scrupulous , and upright . While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty. // a difficult but honorable decision

Q: How are the words 'conscientious' and 'scrupulous' related as synonyms of 'honorable'?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience. // conscientious in the completion of her assignments // scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

Q: In what contexts can 'honest' take the place of 'honorable'?

Although the words honest and honorable have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness. // known for being honest in business dealings

Q: When could 'just' be used to replace 'honorable'?

The synonyms just and honorable are sometimes interchangeable, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable. // workers given just compensation

Q: When would 'upright' be a good substitute for 'honorable'?

While the synonyms upright and honorable are close in meaning, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles. // a stern and upright minister

honorable

adjective

ˈä-nər-(ə-)bəl

Definition of honorable

as in honest

following the accepted rules of moral conduct the only honorable thing to do is to admit that you were wrong and apologize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ethical

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue it was honorable of you to give all the credit to your friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in moral

guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong I believe that if I genuinely cannot decide fairly, I should do the honorable thing and decline to serve on the panel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honorable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honorable are conscientious, honest, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of honorable?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments

scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

In what contexts can honest take the place of honorable?

Although the words honest and honorable have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could just be used to replace honorable?

The synonyms just and honorable are sometimes interchangeable, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When would upright be a good substitute for honorable?

While the synonyms upright and honorable are close in meaning, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 honorable Ingrid is an honorable and moral friend who facilitates her death while staying in a neighboring room. — Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026 Olson received a tactical operations support award from the sheriff’s department in 2023 and was scheduled to receive a five-year honorable service award this month. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 This symbolism reflected values found in many early Germanic and Anglo-Saxon societies, where generosity and the distribution of wealth were marks of honorable leadership. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 That simple, honorable point about the dignity of emigrating remains painfully controversial in Dean’s home country and here. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for honorable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable

Adjective

Attracting and training game officials, to be honest, isn’t the job of the CIF office but of the various regional officials associations that assign them.

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
Set in 2009, the film follows two TV reporters forced into a dirty election campaign for a pro-Russian candidate who struggle to stay honest with their work and the people.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

For Chinese patients – at least those who can afford the product – the question is less ethical than existential.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Complex international maritime law, competing ownership claims, ethical infighting among academics about how best to approach the undersea historical site, and the immense technical and fiscal costs of recovery have kept its bounty on the sea floor.

— Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

In this drama of war between the imperial powers, Kip acts as a moral agent.

— Amitava Kumar, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Such requirements can make conversations about significant moral issues – even controversial ones, like the morality of Mangione’s actions – little more than demands for conformity.

— Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of moral

Adjective

The historic home, situated between Via Rodari and Piazza Roma, dates to the 16th and 17th centuries and takes its name from a noble clan that included Pope Innocent XI, head of the Catholic Church in the late 1600s.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
Next weekend’s slate of new releases looks a lot like this week’s leaderboards — a ton of bright contenders who will engage in a noble, if doomed effort to topple the reigning kings.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Today’s recipe Chef David Tanis’ recipe for Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad With Bitter Lettuces has a nice combination of sweet and bitter.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Eldridge made a nice play to catch that ball, make a throw and get it out.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

What’s more, not all protein powders are equal, so a conscientious approach is warranted.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026
Even the most conscientious hand washers who use a basin or a full sink still use two to four times as much water as the average dishwasher cycle.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2026

Definition of conscientious

Adjective

Insider tip Do what respectable hockey writers do and stay at the Marriott Château Champlain.

— Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

But the truer thread running through his music was as much about urgency as death.

— Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Among those in the record crowd was former Orlando Magic star Grant Hill, whose daughter Lael is a true freshman defender from Windermere for the Gators and a product of Lake Highland Prep.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of true

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“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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