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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

Examples 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 The atmosphere is boosted by some splendid acting: Fiennes lends a vulnerable and earnest demeanor to the honorable Lawrence, while Tucci’s complexity and Lithgow’s antagonism spark their respective rival cardinals. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024 Apparently, Astin — who played the honorable Mikey opposite Quan’s ingenious Data in Richard Donner’s beloved 1985 adventure film — has a flair for the dramatic off-camera, as well. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024 Allen was a Navy veteran until his honorable discharge in 1959, then became an elementary school teacher. Jessica Sager, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 However, bravery and selflessness alone, no matter how honorable, are insufficient to discharge the Secret Service's no-fail protective mission. Luke Barr, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for honorable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable
Adjective
  • Stick to transparent, honest consent methods that respect users and ensure compliance.
    Ian Cohen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Simard: Some of it is just combined with comedy in general, to be honest.
    Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Second, most congressional Republicans have abandoned ethical norms.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The Supreme Court’s deference to FDR during World War II resulted in unjustifiable ethical breaches, but its new code of conduct has not resolved the question of when a justice should be disqualified from a case.
    Jed S. Rakoff, The New York Review of Books, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The ship’s captain and three of the crew are then set adrift and face a similar moral dilemma as starvation sets in and rescue seems impossible.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Our goal is to encourage the next generation of journalists who seek to shine a light on abuses of power and produce stories of moral force that provoke change.
    Talia Buford, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • For all of these juristic innovations, the warrants also represent something entirely familiar: an international institution, created to serve high and noble purposes, succumbing to the temptation of pursuing an anti-Israel agenda.
    Eugene Kontorovich, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024
  • That’s noble, and about the best thing a legitimate leader can do.
    Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Build your authority on LinkedIn: strategies from leading coaches Share client transformations with meaning Stories are nice, but including client wins inspires action.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The Panthers defense should provide a nice opportunity for a big game.
    Andy Scholes, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Of course, any conscientious consumer of these movies already knows that.
    Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024
  • Moving nuclear warheads during a conventional war is extremely dangerous behavior and would demonstrate that Russia is no longer a conscientious nuclear power.
    William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • While cinephiles shudder to learn the opinions of their favorite French actors, Irish stars are assumed to have respectable politics by default.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Reviewer Mark Knapp rated a very similar Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 exceptionally well, noting its premium build quality and respectable performance for the price.
    K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This is especially true if a maker has a particular project or range of projects in mind.
    Bob Beacham, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
  • That's true, the Fed research stated, even when differences in income, employment status, and educational attainment are taken into account.
    Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near honorable

Cite this Entry

“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on honorable

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