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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 The dilemma recalls Otto Preminger’s Whirlpool and Where the Sidewalk Ends, post-WWII films about personal probity but without the melodramatic hype that cheapened both. Armond White, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024 Although this is the right move to convince the ECB that becoming lender of last resort will not open the door to moral hazard, since the pact is to bind all countries to fiscal probity, the austerity policies embedded in it are likely only to reinforce the growth crisis. Vivien A. Schmidt, Foreign Affairs, 28 Nov. 2011 But the arrival in the emerging world of financial globalization, with its demands of political and institutional stability, financial supervision, and monetary and fiscal probity, proved far more damaging. Alan M. Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2011 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 See All Example Sentences for probity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probity
Noun
  • By keeping discovery tied to the speedy trial clock, the governor’s proposal preserves the integrity of the 2019 reforms, but will not take us back to pre-2019.
    Mimi Rocah, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • These core values must be upheld with honesty, conviction, and consistency.
    Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Michael’s raw, urban, industrial aesthetic, combined with searing honesty, is exactly what Jonathan wants for Rent.
    Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The actor has also received Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and Tony Award nominations, as well as a BAFTA Award, two Independent Spirit Awards and four NAACP Image Awards, among myriad honors.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Highest honors were awarded to eight graduates, 64 received high honors, and eight received honors.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Approval from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, much like the morality police, requires artists to master abstraction, ensuring their work remains powerful yet permissible.
    Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
  • An anti-Disney morality tale seeks modern morality.
    Armond White, National Review, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • They are sent off to a grandmother in Ontario who is the epitome of cold, self-righteous Protestant virtue.
    Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The American physician, W. Golden Mortimer, author of History of Coca (1901), acknowledged coca as a panacea, noting its virtues as a medicine, tonic, and food.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Shifting ground Economic and supply chain experts note that the sincerity of Trump's tariff rates remains uncertain, with many expecting them to be lowered based on negotiations between the Trump administration and individual countries.
    Dylan Butts,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • While men and women exhibit similar frequencies in over-apologizing, the habit can undermine professional authority and dilute the sincerity of genuine apologies.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Sauvignon Blanc – The Zesty One For those who like their wines fresh, zippy, and full of citrusy goodness, Sauvignon Blanc is the way to go.
    Emily Price, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Even more goodness to check out!
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The integration of these monitoring components creates a robust MLOps environment capable of handling the complexities of production ML systems while maintaining high performance and reliability standards.
    Neel Sendas, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Over the past decade, Rory has cultivated a company culture rooted in integrity, reliability, and positivity.
    USA Today, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Probity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probity. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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