probity
noun
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Probity and its synonyms honesty, honor, and integrity all mean uprightness of character or action, with some slight differences in emphasis. Honesty implies a refusal to lie or deceive in any way. Honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position. Integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge. Probity, which descends from Latin probus, meaning "honest," implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.
Synonyms
- character
- decency
- goodness
- honesty
- integrity
- morality
- rectitude
- righteousness
- rightness
- uprightness
- virtue
- virtuousness
Example Sentences
Ben Jones, CNN, 6 July 2022 Rather than debating the merits of such views, the A.A.F. questioned Bloom Raskin’s probity. Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2022 The Covid mass hysteria, now downgraded to a hypnosis bewitching neurotics and power freaks, counts among its casualties such virtues as restraint and probity. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 Feb. 2022 One contender for the presidency who has won a reputation internationally over the years for competence and probity is the current prime minister, Mario Draghi. Amy Kellogg, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2022 As Biden’s attempt to enact his domestic agenda drags on, his plunging approval numbers suggest that showmanship, for now, is outperforming probity. David Rohde, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2021 Garland seems to be counting on a belief that most Americans, exhausted by the Trump years, will welcome his neutrality, probity, and reticence. David Rohde, The New Yorker, 15 June 2021 Her blunt, understated way of talking about incomprehensible data gives her an air of probity. The New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2021 Her blunt, understated way of talking about incomprehensible data gives her an air of probity. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
Middle English probite, from Latin probitat-, probitas, from probus honest — more at prove
15th century, in the meaning defined above
probity
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- integrity
- morality
- virtue
- honesty
- rectitude
- goodness
- ethics
- uprightness
- rightness
- decency
- virtuousness
- morals
- character
- righteousness
- honor
- scrupulousness
- incorruptibility
- decorum
- propriety
- correctness
- seemliness
- appropriateness
- fitness
- scrupulosity
- high-mindedness
- etiquette
- right-mindedness
- irreproachability
- irreproachableness
- decorousness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- immorality
- badness
- evil
- impropriety
- villainy
- wickedness
- indiscretion
- indecorum
- sin
- iniquity
- degradation
- dishonesty
- evildoing
- indecency
- depravity
- perversion
- unscrupulousness
- sinfulness
- degeneracy
- debauchery
- corruption
- crookedness
- meanness
- viciousness
- vileness
- lowness
- underhandedness
- pervertedness
Synonyms & Similar Words
- integrity
- honesty
- truthfulness
- sincerity
- reliability
- veracity
- credibility
- authenticity
- reliableness
- rectitude
- verity
- scrupulousness
- incorruptibility
- honorableness
- accuracy
- uprightness
- trustworthiness
- frankness
- objectivity
- dependability
- forthrightness
- truth
- ingenuousness
- straightforwardness
- guilelessness
- candor
- righteousness
- scrupulosity
- artlessness
- candidness
- good faith
- correctness
- right-mindedness
- genuineness
- honor
- trustability
- trustiness
- plainspokenness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dishonesty
- mendacity
- untruthfulness
- deceit
- lying
- hypocrisy
- duplicity
- deception
- insincerity
- falsity
- dissimulation
- smoothness
- unscrupulousness
- deceitfulness
- mendaciousness
- crookedness
- artifice
- fakery
- falseness
- dissembling
- perfidy
- cunning
- furtiveness
- wiliness
- trickery
- slipperiness
- cozenage
- guile
- prevarication
- dupery
- slyness
- underhandedness
- cunningness
- indirection
- two-facedness
- slickness
- insidiousness
- craftiness
- double-dealing
- beguilement
- oiliness
- exaggeration
- equivocation
- inaccuracy
- fraudulentness
- treacherousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
- integrity
- honesty
- rectitude
- honor
- morality
- virtue
- uprightness
- respectability
- righteousness
- justice
- scrupulousness
- reputability
- fairness
- incorruptibility
- conscientiousness
- decency
- nobility
- virtuousness
- blamelessness
- high-mindedness
- character
- right-mindedness
- irreproachability
- irreproachableness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- venality
- baseness
- corruption
- corruptibility
- criminality
- profligacy
- dishonor
- lowness
- shamelessness
- degradation
- dishonesty
- corruptness
- dissoluteness
- perversion
- looseness
- dissipation
- unscrupulousness
- depravity
- decadence
- disgrace
- debasement
- degeneracy
- immorality
- rascality
- debauchery
- blameworthiness
- crookedness
- unrighteousness
- meanness
- knavery
- rottenness
- disreputableness
- villainy
- disgracefulness
- roguishness
- pervertedness
- vileness
- sinfulness
- wickedness
- dissipatedness
- wretchedness
- reprehensibleness
Synonym Chooser
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.
The words honesty and probity can be used in similar contexts, but honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.
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.
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.