SINCERE Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sincere' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sincere are heartfelt , hearty , unfeigned , and wholehearted . While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration. // a sincere apology

Q: When can 'heartfelt' be used instead of 'sincere'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sincere , heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed. // expresses our heartfelt gratitude

Q: When could 'hearty' be used to replace 'sincere'?

Although the words hearty and sincere have much in common, hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling. // received a hearty welcome

Q: Where would 'unfeigned' be a reasonable alternative to 'sincere'?

In some situations, the words unfeigned and sincere are roughly equivalent. However, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense. // her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

Q: When might 'wholehearted' be a better fit than 'sincere'?

The synonyms wholehearted and sincere are sometimes interchangeable, but wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving. // promised our wholehearted support

sincere

adjective

sin-ˈsir

Definition of sincere

as in genuine

genuine in feeling she offered a sincere apology for her angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honest

free from any intent to deceive or impress others done out of a sincere desire to help others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sincere distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sincere are heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned, and wholehearted. While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

When can heartfelt be used instead of sincere?

While in some cases nearly identical to sincere, heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

When could hearty be used to replace sincere?

Although the words hearty and sincere have much in common, hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

Where would unfeigned be a reasonable alternative to sincere?

In some situations, the words unfeigned and sincere are roughly equivalent. However, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

When might wholehearted be a better fit than sincere?

The synonyms wholehearted and sincere are sometimes interchangeable, but wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

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 sincere Here, the director’s mask of benevolence, however sincere, feels thinner and more transparent than ever. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 My sincere hope is that Proper, who faces life in prison along with the others arrested, will eventually come to his senses and thank his mother for her courage and sense of duty. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 Those in the Penguins organization who have been exposed to them are very impressed and believe the new ownership group is utterly sincere in its desire to win championships and impact Pittsburgh positively. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 June 2026 In a contract summary, the DGA said that the limit is intended to preserve directors’ jobs, but is not meant to constrain opportunities for those with a sincere interest in becoming directors. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sincere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sincere

Adjective

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
This is a film with genuine heart and authenticity that reflects modern Britain while speaking to audiences far beyond its borders.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of genuine

Adjective

Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
County officials have repeatedly warned that fraudulent claims take money away from public services and shift the tax burden to honest taxpayers.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

In the early days, the page teemed with posts sharing objects found, along with heartfelt and, at times, gut-wrenching pleas for missing personal items.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Early morning, the nurturing Moon trines the radiant Sun, syncing feelings and purpose for gentler starts and heartfelt talks.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Definition of heartfelt

Adjective

Unlike the 13 colonies, East and West Florida were largely unaffected by the British Stamp Act and other taxes that fueled resentment elsewhere because the colonies produced relatively little for the British colonial economy.

— Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Undergraduate lending is largely unaffected.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 June 2026

Definition of unaffected

Adjective

This was a performer whose sense of self-worth, depending on the day, ranged from unfeigned humility to desperate insecurity to full-on self-loathing.

— Bruce Handy, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
His life story is inspiring, and his love of country is as unfeigned as his faith.

— Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023

Definition of unfeigned

Adjective

As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency.

— Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price.

— Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Definition of simple

Adjective

This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.

— Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
That law predates the much wider United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which took effect in 1994, giving ships the right of innocent passage through any country's territorial waters without paying a fee.

— Joanne Stocker, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of innocent

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“Sincere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sincere. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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