honorable
adjective
hon·or·able
ˈä-nə-rə-bəl 
ˈän-rə-,
ˈä-nər-
1
: deserving of respect or high regard : deserving of honor
an honorable profession
2
a
: of great renown : illustrious
the college's long and honorable history
b
: entitled to honor or respect
—used as a title for the children of certain British noblemen and for various government officials
the Honorable Judge Smith
the Honorable Senator from California
3
: performed or accompanied with marks of honor or respect
4
a
: attesting to creditable conduct
honorable wounds
b
: consistent with a reputation that is not tarnished or sullied
an honorable withdrawal
received an honorable discharge from the army
5
: characterized by integrity : guided by a keen sense of duty and ethical conduct
Brutus is an honorable man—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeareassured her that his intentions were honorable
Examples of honorable in a Sentence
The college has a long and honorable history.
It is not honorable of you to behave like that.
They are trying to find an honorable way out of this dispute.
He assured her that his intentions were honorable.
He received an honorable discharge from the army.
Recent Examples on the Web
Of course, Greg/Gary is an honorable guy who would never bankrupt Belinda to teach her a lesson about greed and blackmail.
—Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
Some Union soldiers attended the event, and two Union officers delivered orations, each focusing on the topic of reconciliation between the honorable foes.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Barco was told that his burns and hearing loss qualified him for an honorable medical retirement from the Army, which would leave him with a lifelong pension and free healthcare with the VA.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Davis and his once honorable party are now apologists.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable
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Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
Some Union soldiers attended the event, and two Union officers delivered orations, each focusing on the topic of reconciliation between the honorable foes.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Barco was told that his burns and hearing loss qualified him for an honorable medical retirement from the Army, which would leave him with a lifelong pension and free healthcare with the VA.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Davis and his once honorable party are now apologists.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable
Cite this Entry
“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorable. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
honorable
adjective
hon·or·able
ˈän-(ə-)rə-bəl
ˈän-ər-bəl
1
: deserving of honor
2
—used as a title especially for various government officials
3
: performed or accompanied with marks of honor
an honorable burial
4
: doing credit to the possessor
honorable wounds
5
: characterized by honesty : ethical
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