truthful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "truthful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to describe someone or something that is honest, sincere, and free from deceit. For example: "Martha always speaks with a truthful voice and her words can be trusted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A genuinely kind, gracious man, he sought to preserve in everything that he did the authentic dimension of human experience: authentic not only in the sense of being truthful, of 'living in truth,' but also in the willing of undistorted solidarity in communal experience, creating spaces for the collective act of openly being-with.

The Economist

Social media created an extra public space where a more truthful and nuanced discussion could go on – and it created an outlet for information to the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's important not to have a big goal in mind, to think 'I'm making Lion King here'; just to be truthful and make the musical tell the story you want to tell".

The Guardian

Port might kick a winning score in the first term, to be truthful.

The Guardian - Sport

What is even more ominous is that, in answer to the very first question, Boehner was less than truthful.

The Guardian

Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.

The Guardian

The brutally truthful answer is: because they could.

The Guardian

I find him so truthful as an actor; he's so utterly there.

The Guardian - Film

It continued: "In arriving at our decision, the commission reiterates that we found Mr Jerome to be a truthful witness who honestly believed that he had been racially abused.

The Guardian - Sport

Colbeck said he would be suggesting a further change to competition law to increase the power of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to police general claims made by environmental groups about particular types of products "to ensure that they are truthful".

The Guardian

A valiant attempt to make a fair and emotionally truthful biopic of Linda Lovelace – though the woman herself remains unknowable.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truthful" when you want to emphasize not just the absence of lies, but also the presence of genuine accuracy and integrity.

Common error

While "truthful" is a perfectly valid word, avoid overusing it in very informal settings. Simpler words like "honest" or "true" might sound more natural in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The word "truthful" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something or someone that adheres to the truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes honesty and freedom from deceit. Examples include "truthful witness" and "truthful information".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truthful" is a versatile adjective used to describe something or someone that is honest, accurate, and reliable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The term is frequently encountered in news and media, with neutral formality. While synonyms like "honest" and "accurate" exist, "truthful" often emphasizes a commitment to representing reality as precisely as possible. As the examples demonstrate, using "truthful" effectively enhances clarity and trustworthiness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honest

A common synonym for truthful, focusing on moral integrity and lack of deceit.

trustworthy

Highlights the dependability and integrity of the person or information.

veracious

A more formal synonym for truthful, emphasizing accuracy and adherence to facts.

authentic

Implies that something is genuine and represents the true nature of the subject.

candid

Suggests truthfulness accompanied by frankness and openness.

forthright

Direct and outspoken in conveying the truth, sometimes to the point of being blunt.

sincere

Highlights the genuineness and heartfelt nature of the truth being conveyed.

accurate

Emphasizes the correctness and precision of information.

factual

Focuses on the adherence to verifiable facts and objective reality.

reliable

Suggests that the information or source can be trusted to consistently provide the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "truthful" in a sentence?

You can use "truthful" to describe someone or something that tells or reflects the truth. For example, "She gave a "truthful account" of what happened" or "The article provided a "truthful portrayal" of the events".

What's the difference between "truthful" and "honest"?

While both words relate to telling the truth, "truthful" often emphasizes accuracy and adherence to facts, while "honest" focuses more on moral integrity and the absence of deceit. You can be "honest" without knowing all the facts, but being "truthful" implies a commitment to representing reality as accurately as possible.

What can I say instead of "truthful"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "honest", "accurate", "veracious", "candid", or "sincere".

Is it correct to say "mostly truthful"?

Yes, it is correct. "Mostly truthful" indicates that something is largely true but may contain some inaccuracies or omissions. It acknowledges that while the overall content is true, certain details might not be entirely correct or complete.