WordGarden.iotruthfulness
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈuːθfəlnəs/
US
- /ˈtruθfəlnəs/
Meanings
Noun
the quality of being honest and telling the truth
the quality of being factually accurate or faithful to reality in what is said or shown
Beyond the definition
Truthfulness is not just about telling the truth; it is also about being real in your words and actions. A truthful person is someone you can trust to speak honestly and act without trying to mislead others. It is more than simply avoiding lies; it means sharing things as they really are, or as you honestly understand them, without deception or needless exaggeration. You might admire a friend for their truthfulness when they give hard but honest advice, or respect a witness whose truthfulness helps others understand what really happened.
Truthfulness is the quality of being honest and sincere in your words and actions. It is a cornerstone of trust and strong relationships, whether personal or professional. While simply not lying is part of it, truthfulness goes deeper: it involves presenting information accurately and sincerely, without intentionally misleading anyone.
The idea of truthfulness is not always simple. Sometimes, complete honesty can feel unkind or unhelpful. A thoughtful person understands the difference between blunt honesty and helpful feedback given with care. Think about a doctor explaining a difficult diagnosis; they aim to be truthful while also offering support and hope.
Truthfulness is valued across cultures and throughout history. Philosophers have debated its nature for centuries, but most agree that it is essential for a functioning society. A lack of truthfulness can erode trust, damage reputations, and even lead to conflict. You might say someone "lacks truthfulness" if they are often deceptive or unreliable. In contrast, praising someone's "unwavering truthfulness" is strong praise, recognizing their integrity and commitment to honesty in all parts of life. It is a quality that builds character and fosters genuine connection.
Examples
- 1
Personal value
I value her truthfulness, even when the news is hard to hear.
- 2
Parenting
Parents should praise truthfulness, even when a child admits doing something wrong.
- 3
Legal testimony
The judge had to decide whether the witness was telling the truth, but the jury also considered the truthfulness of his earlier statement.
- 4
Survey answers
The survey depends on people's truthfulness about their income and spending habits.
- Patterntruthfulness about + topic
being honest when talking about that thing
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Journalism
The newspaper lost readers when people began to doubt the truthfulness of its reporting.
- Patternthe truthfulness of + information/reporting
whether it is honest and accurate
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- dishonesty
- deceitfulness
Used with (collocations)
- question someone's truthfulness
- doubt the truthfulness of
- truthfulness of a statement
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- truthfulnessnoun