dishonesty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dishonesty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of honesty or integrity, or to describe something that has been done without integrity or truthfulness. For example: "The company's dishonesty resulted in significant legal consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was accused of being indifferent to dishonesty in public life (Carmichael initially denied all knowledge of the leaked memo in which Nicola Sturgeon supposedly told the French ambassador she would prefer a Tory victory).

The Guardian

James King writes: "The Mail's editorial model depends on little more than dishonesty, theft of copyrighted material and sensationalism so absurd that it crosses into fabrication".

The Guardian

According to its programme, Peppiatt "delivers a mercilessly satirical dissection of his former trade... he lampoons the hypocrisy and dishonesty of his former employers through a series of mischievous stunts and interviews".

The Guardian

Labor wants to know how this can possibly be an honest budget (as the prime minister has said) when it's full of dishonesty.

The Guardian

The accusations of dishonesty were ludicrous, yet they were taken up almost unquestioningly by wide sections of the media.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simplism, dishonesty and acrimony must cease.

The Guardian

Anyone can get outraged at an email accusing someone of perfidy, treason, dishonesty or failing to honour campaign promises.

The Economist

In March, one of the most prominent buyers of its $100 billion of commercial paper, Bill Gross of PIMCO, a fund-management group, accused the company of dishonesty and said he would cease to buy its short-term debt.

The Economist

That, the authors reason, raises the odds that outright dishonesty in reporting will be exposed, and places a check on how distorted news can become.

The Economist

When such practices shade into dishonesty is itself a shady area.

The Economist

For a politician to cheat on his wife in America is a sign of dishonesty.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "dishonesty", clearly specify the context and the specific actions that constitute the dishonest behavior to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Instead of broadly labeling something as "dishonesty", provide concrete examples of the specific actions or statements that are dishonest. This strengthens your argument and avoids vague accusations.

Linguistic Context

The noun "dishonesty" functions as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It names the quality or state of being dishonest, often referring to actions or behaviors that lack integrity. Ludwig confirms that the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "dishonesty" is a frequently used noun that describes a lack of honesty or integrity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile in various contexts. It commonly appears in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. The examples provided by Ludwig show that "dishonesty" is often used to analyze or critique situations where ethical behavior is absent. To enhance clarity in writing, it's best to provide specific examples of dishonest actions rather than making broad generalizations. Related terms include "deceitfulness" and "lack of integrity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceitfulness

This term emphasizes the act of deceiving or misleading someone.

lack of integrity

This phrase highlights the absence of moral principles and ethical conduct.

fraudulence

This term refers to the quality of being fraudulent or involving deception for financial gain.

mendacity

This word indicates a tendency to be untruthful or lying.

untrustworthiness

This describes the quality of not being able to be trusted or relied upon.

duplicity

This term refers to acting in two different ways to deceive someone.

falsehood

This indicates a statement that is not true or accurate.

treachery

This term suggests betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature.

unscrupulousness

This describes the characteristic of not being restrained by moral principles; being dishonest or unfair.

deception

This is the act of misleading or tricking someone.

FAQs

How can I use "dishonesty" in a sentence?

You can use "dishonesty" to describe a lack of honesty or integrity, such as "The politician's "dishonesty" was exposed by the investigation" or "The company's culture fostered "dishonesty" among its employees".

What are some alternatives to the word "dishonesty"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "deceitfulness", "fraudulence", or "lack of integrity".

What is the difference between "dishonesty" and "lying"?

"Lying" refers to the act of making false statements, while "dishonesty" is a broader term that encompasses any behavior that lacks integrity, including lying, cheating, and deception.

Is "dishonesty" a formal or informal term?

"Dishonesty" is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific situation will dictate the most appropriate vocabulary choice.