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

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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 That's an honorable goal, and when that's your mission, politics doesn't figure into it. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Cornerback Juice Clarke, who started eight games last season and also was an honorable-mention selection, and safety Mac Resetich are back for their senior seasons. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for honorable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable

Adjective

April 20 – May 20 A plan with friends may work better with a little honest adjusting.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Taurus April 20 – May 20 A plan with friends may work better with a little honest adjusting.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Talarico is hoping to raise further ethical questions about Paxton by publicizing the Unity Resources case.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

Framed as an ensemble drama rather than the story of a single heroic whistleblower, the production compresses Ibsen’s plot, reimagines the ending and leans into satire without sacrificing moral bite.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Commentators hungry for superstar validation of their culture war were calling her silence a moral failure, and some of them were the same people who, in previous news cycles, had insisted that athletes needed to shut up.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of moral

Adjective

At least that bad-optics outburst, while insubordinate, had something noble at its basis.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Villa Celimontana dates to the 16th century, when it was developed as a noble residence on Caelian Hill, one of the seven hills of ancient Rome.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Less so is the fact that more vulnerabilities are being discovered by bounty hunters assisted by AI tools, leaving Google fighting a battle to patch them before less conscientious hackers find them and put them to criminal use.

— Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The reptile dealers need to be more conscientious, and there needs to be more captive breeding.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of conscientious

Adjective

The true main event will pit top AEW star Mercedes Mone against Willow Nightingale in yet another women’s world title match that will not go on last.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Unlocking the true nature of dark energy and dark matter could help astronomers understand what the universe is made of, how its expansion has changed over time, and if there is more to understanding gravity than meets the eye.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of true

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“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of honorable

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The Words of the Week - 8/28/20

Cite this Entry

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