Forthrightness: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone speaks or acts in a clear, straightforward manner without trying to hide anything. Typically considered positive but can sometimes be perceived as blunt.

• His forthrightness during the meeting was refreshing, but it might have upset some people.

Implies an adherence to the truth. Generally positive and used to describe someone who tells the truth and is not deceitful.

• His honesty in returning the lost wallet earned him a lot of respect.

Used to describe someone who speaks or acts with genuine feelings and without pretenses. It is highly positive and implies authenticity.

• You could see the sincerity in her eyes when she apologized.

Refers to a straightforward manner of speaking or acting. It is neutral and can be positive or negative depending on the situation and tone.

• Her directness can be harsh, but it's often necessary to get things done efficiently.

Typically used to describe someone who speaks or acts openly and honestly, often in a direct manner. It may imply a lack of subtlety or tact.

• Her forthrightness was refreshing in a room full of ambiguous politicians.
• He appreciated his friend's forthrightness when giving feedback.

Primarily used in contexts involving honesty and openness, where all information is accessible and nothing is hidden. This is frequently used in governance, business, and communication.

• The company's transparency about its operations gained customer trust.
• Demands for transparency in government are increasingly common.

Used to describe someone who expresses themselves honestly, with openness and a lack of bias. It is often viewed positively in contexts requiring honesty and moral integrity.

• We admired the CEO's candor during the meeting.
• She approached the difficult conversation with great candor.

Often used to describe the quality of being clear and easy to understand. It can refer to communication, thought, or visual elements.

• The teacher's clarity made the complex topic easy to grasp.
• He wrote the manual with incredible clarity.