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Straightforwardness: meaning, definitions and examples

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straightforwardness

 

[streɪtˈfɔːrwərdnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in communication

The quality of being honest and direct in one's communication, without any hidden agendas or ulterior motives. It is often appreciated in professional settings for its clarity and transparency.

Synonyms

directness, honesty, transparency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
straightforwardness

Used when describing someone or something that is uncomplicated and clear in meaning or action. Best in scenarios requiring a clear, concise approach.

  • Her straightforwardness in addressing the team's issues helped resolve conflicts quickly.
  • He appreciated the straightforwardness of the instructions.
honesty

Used to describe the quality of being truthful and sincere. Generally positive and often used in both personal and professional settings.

  • Her honesty earned her the trust of her colleagues.
  • The teacher praised him for his honesty.
directness

Used to describe a manner of communication that is blunt and to the point, sometimes without regard for politeness. Suitable for situations where clarity and brevity are key.

  • His directness in meetings can be harsh but very effective.
  • She appreciated the directness of his feedback.
transparency

Used to describe the quality of being open and honest, often related to processes, decisions, or policies. Commonly used in organizational or governance contexts to indicate openness to scrutiny.

  • The company's transparency about its financial situation won it public trust.
  • The team leader ensured transparency by sharing all meeting notes.

Examples of usage

  • He valued her straightforwardness in their business negotiations.
  • The straightforwardness of his feedback was refreshing.
Context #2 | Noun

in behavior

The characteristic of behaving in a candid and uncomplicated manner, without any pretense or deceit. It is seen as a virtue in interpersonal relationships for its sincerity and simplicity.

Synonyms

candor, simplicity, sincerity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
straightforwardness

Used when describing a manner or approach that is simple and easy to understand, often highlighting honesty and directness.

  • His straightforwardness in explaining the project made it easy for everyone to understand.
  • We appreciate your straightforwardness in giving us your feedback.
candor

Refers to being open and honest in expression, sometimes in a blunt or direct manner. It often emphasizes sincerity and truthfulness.

  • Her candor about the company's shortcomings earned her respect.
  • I admired his candor when he admitted his mistake.
simplicity

Describes the quality of being easy to understand or do, without unnecessary complexity. It can refer to design, lifestyle, or explanations.

  • The simplicity of the recipe makes it perfect for beginners.
  • He prefers the simplicity of rural life.
sincerity

Highlights the quality of being honest and genuine, especially in feelings and expressions. It often relates to being heartfelt and authentic.

  • Her sincerity in her apology was evident.
  • I could sense the sincerity in his voice when he spoke.

Examples of usage

  • Her straightforwardness in dealing with others earned her respect.
  • I admire his straightforwardness in handling difficult situations.
Context #3 | Noun

general

The quality of being clear and easy to understand, without complexity or ambiguity. It is valued for its simplicity and lack of confusion.

Synonyms

clarity, lack of ambiguity, simplicity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
straightforwardness

Useful when emphasizing honesty and directness, especially in communication. It can have both positive and neutral connotations.

  • Her straightforwardness made her a trusted leader among her peers
  • The straightforwardness of the process attracted many candidates
clarity

Used to highlight the clearness and comprehensibility of information or expression. It mainly has positive connotations.

  • The clarity of his speech helped everyone understand the complex issue
  • She appreciated the clarity of the instructions
simplicity

Ideal for showcasing minimalism and ease, especially in design or concepts. Has positive to neutral connotations.

  • The simplicity of the app's interface makes it user-friendly
  • He admired the simplicity of her solution to the problem
lack of ambiguity

Often employed in technical or formal contexts to stress precision and definitiveness. It is a neutral term.

  • The contract was drafted with a lack of ambiguity to avoid future disputes
  • Scientists strive for a lack of ambiguity in their research papers

Examples of usage

  • The straightforwardness of the instructions made the task easy to complete.
  • I appreciate the straightforwardness of the explanation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the combination of 'straight,' meaning direct, and 'forward,' indicating an intention to progress.
  • Its roots trace back to Middle English, where the parts ‘straight’ and ‘forward’ were used to describe clear directions.

Psychology

  • Being straightforward can reduce misunderstandings and improve communication in relationships.
  • Research shows that honest communication can foster trust between people, leading to stronger relationships.

Business

  • In the workplace, straightforward communication is valued as it aids transparency and reduces conflicts.
  • Leaders who practice straightforwardness are often perceived as more trustworthy and effective by their teams.

Literature

  • Many authors use straightforward prose to make their works accessible to a broader audience, avoiding complex vocabulary.
  • Characters that embody straightforwardness often represent honesty and integrity in literary narratives.

Culture

  • In some cultures, straightforwardness is highly valued and seen as a sign of respect and integrity, while in others, indirect communication may be preferred.
  • Social norms about straightforwardness can influence how people approach sensitive topics and express disagreement.

Translations

Translations of the word "straightforwardness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 franqueza

🇮🇳 सरलता

🇩🇪 Geradlinigkeit

🇮🇩 keterbukaan

🇺🇦 прямолінійність

🇵🇱 prostolinijność

🇯🇵 率直さ (sotchoku-sa)

🇫🇷 franchise

🇪🇸 franqueza

🇹🇷 açıklık

🇰🇷 솔직함 (soljikham)

🇸🇦 صراحة (ṣarāḥa)

🇨🇿 přímočarost

🇸🇰 priamočiarosť

🇨🇳 直率 (zhíshuài)

🇸🇮 odkritost

🇮🇸 hreinskilni

🇰🇿 ашықтық

🇬🇪 გულახდილობა (gulakhdiloba)

🇦🇿 açıqlıq

🇲🇽 franqueza

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,025 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.