Fair-spoken
What it means
Courteous, reasonable, and pleasing in the way one speaks.
Reach for it when praising calm civility when words could easily have sharpened a disagreement
The fair-spoken chair invited criticism without provoking a quarrel.
Words to choose between 6
| warm | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
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warm
Fits when respectful manners are the main virtue
Careful Courteous speech can remain cold and need not sound conciliatory.
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warm
Fits when generosity and warmth should soften the response
Careful Gracious may be too admiring for a speaker who was simply reasonable.
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professional
Fits when careful wording must preserve cooperation between sides
Careful Diplomatic can imply strategic concealment rather than open fairness.
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professional
Fits when controlled tone and careful proportion deserve emphasis
Careful Measured describes restraint but not courtesy or goodwill.
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professional
Fits when sensitive phrasing avoids unnecessary hurt
Careful Tactful speech can evade a truth that a fair-spoken person states plainly.
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formal
Fits when the minimum standard is restraint and respect during conflict
Careful Civil may be merely nonhostile and lacks the pleasant quality of fair-spoken.
Opposites 4
- rude
- abrasive
- harsh-spoken
- insulting
Common phrases 3
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fair-spoken advocate
The fair-spoken advocate answered the hostile question calmly.
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fair-spoken reply
Her fair-spoken reply returned the meeting to the facts.
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fair-spoken manner
His fair-spoken manner made difficult feedback easier to hear.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated