probity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'probity' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun which means "the quality of being honest and morally upright." For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The committee praised the candidate for her probity and strong commitment to public service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House yesterday morning: "He [Darling] needs to enjoy the public's trust when it comes to issues of financial probity, of money, of managing our nation's finances.

The Guardian

In February, the authority approved a permit to dump 3m cubic metres of dredged seabed within the marine park while Grayson and Mooney were still under investigation by the probity inquiry.

The Guardian

That is not how the majority of TDs see the Wallace affair and its implications for a group in the Dail that prides itself on leftwing purity, probity in public office and not being part of the dominant political cartels so often in they past they accused of corruption and cronyism.

The Guardian

Cue much celebration by Greek ministers: not only had they climbed a couple of rungs on the ladder of fiscal probity, they now also qualified for easier terms on their outstanding debt.

The Guardian - Opinion

The company is far too big and complicated for anybody to hope that peeling it like an onion will leave them with anything but a pile of rings on their plate.A question of timingGE used to feature on university courses as a model of probity.

The Economist

Most of the time, voters care little about structures, more about the quality, probity and foibles of the politicians who inhabit them.Mr Salmond, whose party's aim is to make Scotland fully independent, claims to be especially worried about this.

The Economist

Another is Meral Aksener, a female deputy for the far-right Nationalist Action Party (MHP) with a reputation for toughness and probity.

The Economist

His only focus was on the probity of later government contracts granted to the construction firm, Grupo Higa.

The Economist

Budget discipline matters, he has said, but fiscal probity should come primarily from less spending.

The Economist

A mild-mannered, 50-year-old constitutional-law professor, he has a reputation for probity and modesty.

The Economist

The party may not be hot on competence, or even probity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "probity" in formal writing and speech when you want to emphasize the quality of absolute honesty and strong moral principles, especially in professional or public contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "probity" in informal conversations or casual writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in such contexts; use a more common synonym like "honesty" or "integrity" instead.

Linguistic Context

The noun "probity" functions as a descriptor of character or behavior, emphasizing the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is its primary role in formal writing. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts involving financial and ethical matters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probity" is a noun denoting the quality of having strong moral principles and honesty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. With 63 examples, Ludwig demonstrates that "probity" is frequently used, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, remember that "probity" suits formal scenarios best and should be replaced with simpler words like "honesty" or "integrity" in informal contexts. The related phrases include synonyms such as "integrity" and "uprightness". Source quality for "probity" is high, with an expert rating of 4.6, reflecting its consistent usage in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

integrity

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing moral soundness and adherence to ethical principles.

moral integrity

This emphasizes the indivisible quality of someone's moral principles and their adherence to them.

rectitude

This emphasizes moral correctness and righteousness, often in a formal or legal context.

uprightness

This alternative focuses on moral character and honesty in conduct.

honesty

This is a general term for truthfulness and lack of deception.

virtue

This broader term encompasses moral excellence and righteousness.

decency

This highlights respectful and morally acceptable behavior.

moral soundness

This phrase emphasizes the reliability and integrity of someone's moral compass.

ethical behavior

This focuses on adherence to a code of ethics, particularly in a professional setting.

good character

This phrase highlights the overall positive moral qualities of an individual.

FAQs

How to use "probity" in a sentence?

"Probity" is typically used to describe someone's character or behavior, emphasizing their honesty and moral uprightness. For example, "The judge was known for his unquestionable probity."

What can I say instead of "probity"?

You can use alternatives like "integrity", "honesty", or "uprightness" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "probity" or "propriety"?

"Probity" refers to honesty and strong moral principles, while "propriety" refers to conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "probity" and "honesty"?

"Honesty" is a general term for truthfulness, whereas "probity" implies a more profound and consistent adherence to moral principles and ethical conduct. "Probity" suggests a higher level of moral integrity.