Dishonest — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst/ dis·hon·est

Meaning & Definition of Dishonest

Dishonest (adjective)

  1. shameful, unchaste
  2. characterized by lack of truth, honesty, or trustworthiness, unfair, deceptive

Dishonest (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. telling or containing lies

    "I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows"

    "dishonest statements on the claims form"

    similar: lying, mendacious, untruthful
    related: erroneous, fallacious, false, misleading, untrue, double-dealing, hypocrite, hypocritical, insincere, mealymouthed, smooth-tongued, two-faced, perjurious
    opposite: honest, truthful, veracious
    near: candid, open, plainspoken, straightforward, earnest, sincere, true, conscientious, moral, principled, scrupulous, dependable, reliable, trustable, trustworthy, trusty, decent, ethical, honorable, just, respectable, righteous, right-minded, straight, upright, upstanding, virtuous

  2. given to or marked by cheating and deception

    "dishonest car dealers who roll back mileage gauges"

    "dishonest business deals that landed him in jail"

    similar: bent (chiefly British), crooked, deceptive, double-dealing, duplicitous, fast, fraudulent, guileful, rogue, shady, sharp, shifty, underhand, underhanded
    related: unconscionable, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, deceitful, deceiving, deluding, delusive, delusory, false, artful, beguiling, cagey, crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, subtle, wily, defrauding, devious, furtive, slippery, sneaking, sneaky, trickish, tricky, insidious, perfidious, treacherous
    opposite: aboveboard, honest, straight
    near: conscientious, decent, ethical, honorable, just, scrupulous, upright, forthright, straightforward

  3. 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"

    similar: crooked, deceitful, defrauding, double-dealing, false, fraudulent
    related: beguiling, deceiving, deceptive, deluding, delusive, delusory, duplicitous, fallacious, misleading, specious, spurious
    opposite: aboveboard, honest, truthful
    near: legitimate, true, valid

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dishonest

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dishonest:

Chiefly British: bent
lying, mendacious, untruthful, crooked, deceptive, double-dealing, duplicitous, fast, fraudulent, guileful, rogue, shady, sharp, shifty, underhand, underhanded, deceitful, defrauding, false

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dishonest

Words with the opposite meaning of Dishonest:

honest, truthful, veracious, aboveboard, straight

Related Words for Dishonest

erroneous, fallacious, misleading, untrue, hypocrite, hypocritical, insincere, mealymouthed, smooth-tongued, two-faced, perjurious, unconscionable, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, deceiving, deluding, delusive, delusory, artful, beguiling, cagey, crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, subtle, wily, devious

Near Antonyms of Dishonest

candid, open, plainspoken, straightforward, earnest, sincere, true, conscientious, moral, principled, scrupulous, dependable, reliable, trustable, trustworthy, trusty, decent, ethical, honorable, just, respectable, righteous, right-minded, upright, upstanding, virtuous, forthright, legitimate, valid

Word Forms of Dishonest

Derived words: dishonestly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Dishonest

Middle English, from Anglo-French deshoneste, from des- dis- + honeste honest

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Dishonest

What does "Dishonest" mean?

"Dishonest" means shameful, unchaste. As an adjective, it is defined as: shameful, unchaste. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dishonest"?

Other words for "Dishonest" include lying, mendacious, untruthful, bent, crooked, deceptive, double-dealing and duplicitous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dishonest" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dishonest"?

There are 61 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dishonest". Common alternatives include lying, mendacious, untruthful, bent, crooked, deceptive, double-dealing, duplicitous, fast and fraudulent.

What is the opposite of "Dishonest"?

Antonyms of "Dishonest" include honest, truthful, veracious, aboveboard and straight. Near antonyms include candid, open, plainspoken and straightforward.

How do you use "Dishonest" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dishonest" in a sentence: "I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows"; "dishonest statements on the claims form"; "dishonest car dealers who roll back mileage gauges".

Is "Dishonest" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dishonest" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Dishonest"?

"Dishonest" is pronounced /(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nəst/ and divided into syllables as dis·hon·est.

What is the origin of the word "Dishonest"?

"Dishonest" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French deshoneste, from des- dis- + honeste honest. First known use: 14th century.