less than forthright

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than forthright" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not being completely honest or straightforward in their communication. Example: "The politician's response to the question was less than forthright, leaving many voters confused about his true stance on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

And Jexodus's organizers are less than forthright about any momentum they've gathered.

The Washington Post

Elliot is never less than forthright, and some of his architectural descriptions are very fine.

The New York Times - Books

"We believe the company has been less than forthright in giving investors adequate information regarding recent investigations," Standard & Poor's said.

The New York Times

Girardi has also been less than forthright about injuries to Jorge Posada, Chien-Ming Wang and Dan Giese.

The New York Times - Sports

To do so, they have had to be less than forthright about their role in creating one of the worst examples of governance in many years.

The New York Times

It is also making the point that the West is less than forthright when the Islamic republic itself is the victim of terrorism.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In addition to the on-court issue of losing, the trade talks surrounding Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony are more than a concern, despite a less-than-forthright response from players and coaches.

The New York Times - Sports

While many outlets have been reporting this number uncritically (an odd choice given the rapper's less-than-forthright history when it comes to disclosing finances), closer examination reveals many reasons to look deeper.

Forbes

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

But this is the national security process: I would take a huge leap and suggest that being less-than-transparent or forthright in this process will not help you.

The New York Times

The same poll put the candidates in a dead heat in the race for the Presidency, which suggests that a substantial number of respondents who plan to vote for Clinton find her less forthright than her opponent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations: "Less than forthright" implies a deliberate choice to be indirect, rather than simple ignorance or misunderstanding. Make sure this aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

While "less than forthright" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more direct and precise language might be preferable. Alternatives like "evasive" or "misleading" could be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than forthright" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a quality of not being completely honest or direct. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples where it describes actions, statements, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than forthright" is a useful tool for expressing a lack of complete honesty or directness without resorting to a harsh accusation of lying. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjectival phrase and is commonly found in news and media, science, and formal/business contexts. This phrase's usage indicates a deliberate choice to be indirect, making it suitable for situations where a nuanced critique is needed. Alternatives such as "somewhat evasive" or "not entirely honest" can offer similar shades of meaning. When employing "less than forthright", ensure the context supports the implication of intentional indirectness rather than mere ignorance or misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat evasive

Indicates a tendency to avoid direct answers, suggesting a milder form of not being forthright.

not entirely honest

Directly implies a lack of complete honesty, which is a core component of not being forthright.

a bit disingenuous

Suggests a calculated lack of sincerity, implying more intent than simply being unforthright.

not completely transparent

Emphasizes a lack of openness and visibility, similar to not being forthright about information.

prevaricating somewhat

Implies hedging or avoiding the truth without outright lying, a more active form of not being forthright.

being cagey

Suggests cautiousness and a reluctance to reveal information, often to protect oneself.

dodging the question

Highlights the act of evading a direct response, a specific instance of not being forthright.

equivocating on the issue

Indicates ambiguity and a deliberate use of vague language to avoid commitment.

being economical with the truth

A euphemism suggesting that someone is carefully choosing their words to mislead without technically lying.

skirting the truth

Suggests avoiding a direct confrontation with the truth by talking around it.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less than forthright" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "not entirely transparent", "somewhat evasive", or "partially misleading" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is "less than forthright" the same as lying?

No, "less than forthright" implies indirectness or a lack of complete honesty, but it doesn't necessarily mean an outright lie. It suggests someone is not being fully open or direct, but not explicitly stating a falsehood.

What's a more direct alternative to "less than forthright"?

More direct alternatives include "dishonest", "deceptive", or "misleading", which are more blunt in their assessment of someone's truthfulness.

When is it appropriate to use "less than forthright" instead of "lying"?

Use "less than forthright" when you want to suggest someone is avoiding the full truth without making a strong accusation of intentional deception. It's suitable when describing situations where there's ambiguity about intent or the extent of the untruthfulness.