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honestly

adv. sent.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɑnəsɫi// UK //ˈɒnɪstli// hon·est·ly

adv. in a way that is truthful and sincere. You use it to show you are telling the truth, even if it is surprising or slightly rude.

adv. in a truthful, fair, or sincere manner. When used as a sentence modifier, it signals the speaker's commitment to the veracity or bluntness of the following statement.


SIMPLE

I honestly don't know the answer to that question.

CONTEXTUAL

She answered the interviewer's questions honestly, even when discussing her previous mistakes.

COMPLEX

While the report was technically accurate, it failed to honestly address the underlying systemic issues that led to the project's initial failure.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English honestly, honestlyche, honestliche, equivalent to honest + -ly.

Usage

As a manner adverb, it typically follows the verb; as a sentence adverb, it usually appears at the beginning of the clause or before the main verb.

Pitfall

I honestly to you, I'm tired.Honestly, I'm tired.When used to introduce a thought, 'honestly' is a sentence adverb and does not take a prepositional object like 'to you'.

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