truthfulness
/'tru:θfulnis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The quality or state of being truthful: This refers to the characteristic of consistently telling or representing the truth, being honest, and avoiding deception. 2. Conformity to fact or reality: This describes the quality of a statement, account, or representation being accurate and faithful to the actual state of affairs.
Usage and Examples
- General Character Trait: Used to describe a person's habitual honesty.
- Her truthfulness is one of her most admirable qualities; you can always trust what she says.
- The witness's truthfulness was crucial to the outcome of the trial.
- Quality of Information: Used to describe the factual accuracy of a report, story, or data.
- Journalists have a duty to ensure the truthfulness of their reporting.
- We must verify the truthfulness of these claims before publishing the article.
Advanced Usage
- In Philosophy and Ethics: "Truthfulness" is often discussed as a moral virtue, essential for trust and the proper functioning of society. It is contrasted with deceitfulness or mendacity.
- The philosopher argued that truthfulness is a foundational virtue for any ethical communication.
- In Art and Representation: While less common, it can refer to the fidelity of a work of art to its subject or the artist's vision.
- Critics praised the painting for its emotional truthfulness rather than its photographic accuracy.
Variants and Related Words
- Truthful (adj): Describing someone who tells the truth or a statement that is true.
- He gave a truthful account of the events.
- Truthfully (adv): In a truthful manner.
- She answered the question truthfully.
- Untruthfulness (n): The quality of being untruthful; dishonesty.
Synonyms
- Honesty: The quality of being honest and telling the truth.
- Veracity: Conformity to facts; habitual truthfulness.
- Candor: The quality of being open and honest in expression.
- Sincerity: The quality of being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy.
Antonyms
- Dishonesty: The quality of being deceitful or untruthful.
- Deceptiveness: The quality of being intended to mislead.
- Mendacity: The tendency to be untruthful.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To vouch for someone's truthfulness: To assert or confirm that someone is honest.
- I can personally vouch for his truthfulness; he has never lied to me.
- A question of truthfulness: A matter concerning whether someone is being honest.
- The debate is not about the facts, but about the politician's question of truthfulness.
Noun
- the quality of being truthful