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frank

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noun

frank

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word frank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of frank are candid, open, and plain. While all these words mean "showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks," frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

When is it sensible to use candid instead of frank?

Although the words candid and frank have much in common, candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

How does the word open relate to other synonyms for frank?

Open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

When might plain be a better fit than frank?

The words plain and frank can be used in similar contexts, but plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of frank
Adjective
It has been streamed more than 600 million times on Spotify to date, with listeners drawn to Young’s frank assessment of her own failings. Sophie Williams, Billboard, 16 May 2025 The conversations were frank about how customers are using the technology in the real world. Jason Andersen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
All-beef frank topped with yellow mustard and sauerkraut or sautéed onions in tomato paste. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 Competitors were not allowed to dunk or pour water on the hot dogs, or separate the beef franks from their buns, with penalties levied for excess crumbs and regurgitation. Rishikesh Rajagopalan, CBS News, 2 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for frank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frank
Adjective
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, an outspoken critic of the city’s homeless programs, also has been a longtime supporter of terminating the emergency.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • These decisions suggest an effort to suppress all but the most overt nationalistic efforts from American artists, a fool’s errand given the outspoken nature of the creative community, and one that is not unfamiliar around the globe.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The Pacers have one of the league’s fastest and best offenses with a signature style of getting the ball off the rim or out of the basket as fast as possible and pushing it up the floor.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The restaurant, a 43-year landmark between Fort Worth and Arlington, has been cleaned throughout, and its signature toy train is again clickety-clacking around the dining room ceiling.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The sausage or weiner is dipped in a batter made of bread crumbs rather than cornmeal, and often paired with melty cheese and sometimes even squid ink.
    Sara Murphy, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Join Downtown Brentwood for this celebration featuring a Sierra Nevada biergarten, live music by Alpine Sound, delicious German cuisine, carnival and beer stein games, a weiner dog costume parade and an Oktoberfest market with local vendors.
    Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • Ruby then transcribed the tapes and sent them back to the star for revision and signature before the letters were mailed to fans.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 June 2025
  • Dealers are to update the security gateway module software for free and notification letters are expected to be mailed June 19.
    James Powel, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • So much of it feels like a fever dream, to be honest, being in Singapore.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 30 May 2025
  • Players appreciated such an honest approach during the Euro 2022 campaign, which garnered mutual respect and trust.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Clark signed autographs well beyond both baselines, her John Hancock filling up the length of the gym for fans draped over the railing behind the benches.
    Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 29 May 2025
  • And check out Kyle making like John Hancock and the Declaration of Independence with his huge, splashy signature all over that season logo.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • California Love stories, rock slides, 50 pounds of dirty frankfurters.
    Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • Americans didn’t invent the hot dog, but the nation’s German immigrants refined the wiener from Vienna and frankfurter from Frankfurt to a preferred game-day cuisine.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • It has been well documented the historic year Scheffler posted in 2024.
    Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
  • In a May 29 posting to the Google Workspace Updates blog, it was confirmed that, with immediate effect, AI summaries would be available at the top of the email content for messages where a summary is helpful.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Frank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frank. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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