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Synonyms

honestly

American  
[on-ist-lee] / ˈɒn ɪst li /

adverb

  1. in an honest, truthful, or sincere manner.

    Parents are encouraged to speak honestly with their kids about drugs and alcohol.

  2. actually; truly.

    She was honestly surprised that he’d remembered their anniversary at all.

interjection

  1. (used to express mild exasperation, disbelief, dismay, etc.).

    Honestly! I want to finish this work, and you keep interrupting.
honestly British  
/ ˈɒnɪstlɪ /

adverb

  1. in an honest manner

  2. (intensifier)

    I honestly don't believe it
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

  1. an expression of disgust, surprise, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of honestly

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English honestli(che) “honorably, respectably; respectfully; fittingly, properly”; honest, -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It's ridiculous, honestly. Seeing these gas prices skyrocket, it's incredible," he said at a gas station in New Jersey.

From Barron's

Awesiinh and Dalton share a glance, and for a second, I think they’re finally, for the first time, honestly considering playing my song.

From Literature

"One time I fell off stage in Norway and a load of women caught me in the front row – and, quite honestly, I'm not sure I'd ever have the bravery to do that on purpose."

From BBC

"Our home honestly felt like it was unravelling," he says.

From BBC

“I mean, honestly I don’t look at them as freshmen,” said Lloyd.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.