Forthrightness: meaning, definitions and examples

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forthrightness

[ˈfɔːrθraɪtnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

honesty

The quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech.

Synonyms

directness, honesty, sincerity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
forthrightness	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.
honesty	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.
sincerity	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.
directness	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.

Examples of usage

She answered all my questions with forthrightness.
His forthrightness in admitting his mistake was commendable.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

transparency

Openness and honesty in actions or intentions.

Synonyms

candor, clarity, transparency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
forthrightness	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.
transparency	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.
candor	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.
clarity	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.

Examples of usage

The company prided itself on its forthrightness in dealing with customers.
The politician's forthrightness in addressing the public's concerns helped gain trust.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from Middle English 'forthright', combining 'forth', meaning 'forward', and 'right', meaning 'straight'.
It has been in use since the 14th century, reflecting a long tradition of valuing direct communication.

Cultural Perspectives

In many cultures, directness is seen as a strength and a value, often associated with leadership.
Some cultures, however, prefer indirect communication, viewing forthrightness as potentially abrasive.

Psychology

Being forthright is often linked to emotional intelligence; it requires self-awareness to express one's thoughts clearly.
Studies show that people who communicate with forthrightness can build stronger relationships, as honesty fosters trust.

Literature

Many literary characters are celebrated for their forthrightness, highlighting the moral strength of truth-telling.
Authors often use forthright characters to contrast with more deceptive figures, underlining themes of integrity.

Business Communication

In the workplace, forthrightness is crucial for effective communication, enabling clarity and preventing misunderstandings.
Leaders who are forthright tend to inspire greater trust among employees, fostering a positive organizational culture.

Translations

Translations of the word "forthrightness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 franqueza

🇮🇳 साफगोई

🇩🇪 Aufrichtigkeit

🇮🇩 keterusterangan

🇺🇦 прямолінійність

🇵🇱 szczerość

🇯🇵 率直さ (sotchoku-sa)

🇫🇷 franchise

🇪🇸 franqueza

🇹🇷 açık sözlülük

🇰🇷 솔직함 (soljik-ham)

🇸🇦 صراحة

🇨🇿 upřímnost

🇸🇰 úprimnosť

🇨🇳 直率 (zhíshuài)

🇸🇮 odkritost

🇮🇸 hreinskilni

🇰🇿 ашықтық

🇬🇪 სინამდვილე (sinaudlie)

🇦🇿 səmimiyyət

🇲🇽 franqueza

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,546, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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35543 obscurantist
35544 avuncular
35545 unplug
35546 forthrightness
35547 renascence
35548 rephrasing
35549 surefire
...