CANDIDLY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

candidly

adverb

Definition of candidly

as in openly

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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 candidly During his interview, Johnson spoke candidly about his rise to fame and the years of work behind his success. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 In a bucket hat and without a care in the world, Murray speaks kindly but candidly about making his buddy Coyne’s TV dream come true. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026 And candidly, could states do better at preparing and counting faster? — Astead Herndon, Vox, 24 Oct. 2026 Speaking your mind candidly is essential right now—feeling seen and respected is core to your sense of self-worth. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Perry Bowick very candidly speaks on how her relationship with her big brother and his addiction led her to become a therapist. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 The comedian, 55, candidly opened up about becoming a father before 21 years old and his large blended family in his new book, titled Nine Lives, No Wives and 69 Concubines. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026 In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published on October 15, Joel candidly spoke about his normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) diagnosis and a recent visit to the neurologist that left the future of his career uncertain. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026 Sources at the club, speaking anonymously in order to discuss the issue candidly, have also stressed a change in the club’s approach over recent seasons, pointing to their €400m of sales last summer. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidly

Adverb

These provisions keep employers and plan sponsors from openly discussing their contract terms, which Cuban said blocks them from comparing fees and negotiating better deals.

— Emma Witman, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Worse, while communist parties during the Cold War denied the crimes of the Soviet regime, some of today’s neo-Leninists openly defend them.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of openly

Adverb

Part of me thinks that friends should be able to share their feelings/perspectives honestly.

— Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Did the network honestly think a large portion of the college football base would not stay up for a late kickoff that came after Notre Dame played Miami, or Georgia faced Ole Miss in primetime?

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of honestly

Adverb

The multilayered scheduling considerations for the latter make my head hurt, frankly.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026
For those who experienced his rise in real time (and, frankly, many at SoFi probably had, based on their millennial look), Jay has been a pop impresario, a cultural touchstone who helped graft hip-hop culture onto the mainstream.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of frankly

Adverb

Foley has been the one board member who has forthrightly stood up for oversight and accountability on every key issue.

— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Coming off the ice, Malinin forthrightly congratulated the winner, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, as if to communicate that Shaidorov won the prize from his own efforts, not from Malinin’s failure.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Definition of forthrightly

Adverb

The Eagles were, however, baldly ambitious from the start, a band that formed with the express mission of writing hits, getting famous, getting laid, getting rich.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Their cute, elderly golden retriever, Cassie, is used for such baldly emotionally manipulative ends.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of baldly

Adverb

Not the layoffs, the mergers, the rampant unemployment, and the fear that comes with it — all of that and more unreservedly sucks.

— Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of unreservedly

Adverb

While the use of AI in the filmmaking process remains a delicate topic in Hollywood, Wall Street has a more straightforwardly Darwinian view.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
In her final Facebook post, Josée straightforwardly leaves a link to the time and place of her funeral.

— Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of straightforwardly

Adverb

Shoppers are being told plainly that premium pricing does not equal better results.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Adams, usually so conciliatory, plainly voices her disgust with the unethical Mexican clinic which gave McQueen false hope, and side-eyes his late-in-life turn to Christianity.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of plainly

Browse Nearby Words

candidates

candidly

candidness

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Style

“Candidly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidly. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of candidly

adverb

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