dishonest
/dis'ɔnist/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Deceptive or fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive: Describes a person, action, or statement that is intentionally misleading, untruthful, or intended to gain an unfair advantage.
- Capable of being corrupted; open to bribery or immoral influence: Describes a person whose integrity can be compromised, often for personal gain.
Usage and Examples
- Describing a person's character:
- The dishonest salesman lied about the car's accident history.
- It is hard to trust someone you know to be dishonest.
- Describing an action or method:
- He used dishonest tactics to win the competition.
- Submitting someone else's work as your own is a dishonest practice.
- Describing a statement or representation:
- The advertisement was dishonest about the product's capabilities.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "To be dishonest with someone": To deliberately deceive or not tell the truth to a specific person.
- She felt he had been dishonest with her about his past.
- "Economical with the truth": A euphemistic or indirect way of describing dishonest communication.
- The politician was accused of being economical with the truth during the interview.
Variants and Related Words
- Dishonesty (noun): The quality of being dishonest.
- His dishonesty eventually cost him his job.
- Dishonestly (adverb): In a dishonest manner.
- He acted dishonestly to secure the contract.
Synonyms
- Deceitful: Guilty of or involving deceit; intended to mislead.
- Fraudulent: Obtained, done by, or involving deception, typically for personal or financial gain.
- Untrustworthy: Not able to be relied on as honest or truthful.
- Corrupt: Willing to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain.
Antonyms
- Honest: Free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere.
- Truthful: Telling or expressing the truth; honest.
- Trustworthy: Able to be relied on as honest or truthful.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- Dishonest as the day is long: Completely and thoroughly dishonest.
- You can't believe a word he says; he's as dishonest as the day is long.
- A dishonest living: Earning money through illegal or deceitful means.
- He was suspected of making a dishonest living through various scams.
Adjective
- capable of being corrupted
- corruptible judges
- dishonest politicians
- a purchasable senator
- a venal police officer
- deceptive or fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive