ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dishonesty

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɪˈsɑnəsti// UK //dɪsˈɒnɪsti// dis·hon·esty Archaic

n. the act of lying, cheating, or being untrustworthy. It means not being honest with other people.

n. the quality of being deceitful or the act of behaving in an untrustworthy manner. Often involves the intentional distortion of truth to gain an advantage.


SIMPLE

His dishonesty caused him to lose his job.

CONTEXTUAL

The investigation revealed a pattern of financial dishonesty that had been hidden from the board for years.

COMPLEX

While a single lie might be forgiven, a reputation for systemic dishonesty is nearly impossible to repair in a professional environment where trust is the primary currency.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English dishoneste (“disgrace, filth”), from Old French deshoneste, equivalent to dis- + honesty or dishonest + -y.

Usage

Uncountable in its abstract sense; can be used with 'of' to describe specific acts.

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