Probity: meaning, definitions and examples

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probity

 

[ ˈprəʊ.bɪ.ti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

professionalism

The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.

Synonyms

honesty, integrity, uprightness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
probity

Use when referring to complete moral integrity and honesty, often in formal or professional contexts.

  • The judge is known for his probity and fairness in court decisions
integrity

Used to describe the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, often in both personal and professional contexts.

  • His integrity is what makes him a respected leader
honesty

This is a general term used in everyday situations to refer to being truthful and free from deceit.

  • She showed great honesty by returning the lost wallet she found
uprightness

Typically used to describe behavior that is morally correct and virtuous, often emphasizing moral strength.

  • She was admired for her uprightness and commitment to justice

Examples of usage

  • He is known for his probity and integrity in the business world.
  • Her probity and ethical behavior have earned her the respect of her colleagues.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

The quality of being honest and truthful in behavior and character.

Synonyms

honesty, integrity, rectitude.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
probity

This word is often used in formal or professional settings to describe strong moral principles and honesty, especially in financial matters or public life.

  • The candidate's probity was never in question during the rigorous election campaign
  • The company values probity above all in its financial transactions
honesty

Honesty is a general term used in everyday situations to describe being truthful and sincere.

  • Honesty is the best policy when dealing with friends and family
  • She appreciated his honesty about the mistake
integrity

Integrity refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to describe trustworthy and upright behavior.

  • Her integrity earned her the respect of all her colleagues
  • A leader with integrity will always do the right thing, even when no one is watching
rectitude

This is a formal term that implies morally correct behavior and comes across as quite serious or old-fashioned. It is often used in philosophical or literary contexts.

  • His rectitude was evident in his unwavering commitment to justice
  • The book explored themes of moral rectitude and ethical dilemmas

Examples of usage

  • The judge was respected for his probity and fairness in the courtroom.
  • Lawyers are expected to uphold the highest standards of probity in their profession.

Translations

Translations of the word "probity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 probidade

🇮🇳 नैतिकता

🇩🇪 Redlichkeit

🇮🇩 kejujuran

🇺🇦 чесність

🇵🇱 uczciwość

🇯🇵 誠実さ

🇫🇷 probité

🇪🇸 probidad

🇹🇷 dürüstlük

🇰🇷 성실

🇸🇦 نزاهة

🇨🇿 poctivost

🇸🇰 poctivosť

🇨🇳 廉正

🇸🇮 poštenost

🇮🇸 heiðarleiki

🇰🇿 адалдық

🇬🇪 პატიოსნება

🇦🇿 dürüstlük

🇲🇽 probidad

Etymology

The word 'probity' originated from the Latin word 'probositas', which means uprightness or honesty. It entered the English language in the late 15th century. Over the centuries, 'probity' has been used to emphasize the importance of moral integrity and honesty in various contexts, from business to law. Its enduring relevance lies in its association with principles of ethical conduct and trustworthiness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,822, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.