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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Too bad that New York’s LG Delgado didn’t take the same honorable path and walk away. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 While some might argue that Murphy is an antihero, Hawke viewed him as an honorable man. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026 There are, of course, many honorable people who own businesses and choose to become politicians. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026 The group meets monthly and is open to those with honorable, general and other-than-honorable discharges. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honorable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable

Adjective

My honest read on timing is that the five percent will be twenty percent by end of 2027, and fifty by end of 2029.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The original impetus for the film, to be honest, was to look at an incredible life story over a long German period.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Put another way, in bringing the footage into the realm of film, and not reality television—his domain—Fielder breached some ethical standard.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
The collaboration with De Beers Group and Grandview Klein Diamonds is one of ethical sourcing and complete traceability.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

Because these companies are not bound to a particular religion, the goal is often quite broad — an aggregate of moral ideas that can inform their models.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
The film conceives of a universe ruled by blind luck, fundamentally indifferent to human suffering and moral comeuppance.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of moral

Adjective

All three books analyze how closely the Biden administration worked with a (very willing) mainstream media to portray Israel as a noble victim and to dehumanize Palestinians.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2026
Today, the firm founded in 1985 is known for its anti-mass-market bespoke interiors, furniture, lighting and accessories defined by clean lines, refined proportions, noble materials and a philosophy of luxurious simplicity.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Even if every senator were ethical, conscientious and committed to the public good, the incentives would remain the same.

— Nicholas Jacobs, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
And there is a bonus benefit — people who are concerned about the future tend to make more conscientious decisions about the present.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of conscientious

Adjective

The Chiefs have beaten a Denver Broncos team that was still finding its footing, the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts, the winless Miami Dolphins, a respectable Raiders squad and the 0-6 Chargers.

— Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
For 26 years, Ecuador has remained immune from the plague of a currency crisis and has sustained respectable economic growth, low inflation, and surging exports.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

Andrew Durand, with his handsome crab-apple features, makes a perfectly quizzical Benjamin; Kelsee Kimmel is stirring as his true love, who shares his age just once.

— Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Founded in Switzerland in 2010, On has collaborated with an impressive roster of partners over the last 16 years, from tennis legend Roger Federer to Spanish fashion house Loewe, all while staying true to its mission of celebrating movement.

— Kasey Busiel, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of true

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“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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