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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun probity contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of probity are honesty, honor, and integrity. While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

When might honesty be a better fit than probity?

The words honesty and probity can be used in similar contexts, but honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

When is it sensible to use honor instead of probity?

The words honor and probity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

When could integrity be used to replace probity?

In some situations, the words integrity and probity are roughly equivalent. However, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

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 probity There are questions of law and questions of decency, and even those who skirt the outer limits of the law attempt to keep up an appearance of probity. Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 However, rather than a system with strong legal institutions and constraints on executive power, the Constitution of Year III relied on the probity of its voters and representatives. Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 16 Sep. 2024 France’s fiscal probity is in doubt with investors shorting the nation’s bonds even before Macron’s surprise decision, and the region’s allure as a stable and relatively volatility-free alternative to US markets has taken a blow. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 28 June 2024 Speaking to the Guardian, FitzGerald dismissed the notion that his father, who was widely known for his probity, would make a claim for payment. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for probity 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probity
Noun
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 21 Jan. 2025
  • But critics have said that continuing to push veterans out of the V.A. system could compromise the integrity of its own health care.
    Noah Weiland, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • What sets Chappell apart is her courage to be herself in every sense: her honesty, her individuality, and her commitment to creating meaningful music.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Through a serialized memoir project, Lee is sharing her story with her customers, releasing it one chapter at a time and capturing the raw honesty and deep connections that define her life and work.
    Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • She will be presented with the honor on Saturday (Feb. 1) at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre ahead of the 2025 Grammy Awards the following day.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Notable among the acting nominees is Abou Sangare, nominated for Male Breakout Performance in Souleymane’s Story, who took home the best actor honor at last year’s European Film Awards.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Does this force her to look more closely at herself and her own sense of morality?
    Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
  • At that moment, a car full of ISIS morality police — the hisbah — was passing by.
    Alia Malek, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For many professionals, the relentless pursuit of goals, often at the expense of personal well-being, has been elevated to a virtue.
    Amy Blankson, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • If these bathrooms are supposedly for the public, then by virtue of excluding certain people, the message is that their needs are not for consideration.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Min walks off after becoming convinced Chris doesn’t see a future with him (Yang plays his character’s sadness and disappointment in himself with touching sincerity) and Lee feels betrayed after an unforeseen development comes to light, the result of a drunken evening.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The orange represents success, determination, and creativity while the blue stands for trust, loyalty, and sincerity and strength.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The film is supernatural body horror goodness from debut filmmaker Michael Shanks.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Undaunted, thank goodness, Stupak opened the Otter, on Thompson Street, late last year inside the new Manner hotel, in SoHo.
    Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Both our regional electric grid manager and federal agencies have issued dire warnings of a near-term electricity reliability cliff as Maryland is closing baseload power plants prematurely with no reliable replacements in sight.
    David T. Stevenson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025
  • In contrast, Eurostar’s low ranking reflects its steep prices and poor reliability score.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near probity

Cite this Entry

“Probity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probity. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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