Done with honest intent and without a plan to deceive or exploit.
Reach for it when describing sincere participation while avoiding a claim that the action was correct
Both groups made a good-faith effort to verify the disputed boundary.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal |
playful
Fits when open, honest dealing suits an informal business voice
Careful Aboveboard concerns transparency and sounds casual in legal analysis.
everyday
Fits when truthfulness and lack of deception are the central qualities
Careful Honest also describes statements, while good-faith identifies the purpose behind an act.
warm
Fits when serious effort and conviction are visible
Careful Earnest people can still act strategically or on mistaken beliefs.
warm
Fits when genuine intent matters more than procedure
Careful Sincerity cannot establish that a claim or decision is accurate.
warm
Fits when benevolent motive deserves acknowledgment despite a poor result
Careful Good intentions alone do not rule out negligence or unfair advantage.
professional
Fits when the action is real and not merely performed for appearance
Careful Genuine says little about fairness or lawful purpose.
formal
bona fide
Fits when authentic status or legal genuineness needs a recognized term
Careful Bona fide can mean genuine rather than honestly attempted.
good-faith effort
A good-faith effort included sharing the records that weakened their case.
good-faith negotiation
Good-faith negotiation requires more than attending the meeting.
good-faith belief
The court examined whether the good-faith belief was reasonable.
Keep in mind
Good faith has context-specific legal meanings. Honest intent does not establish legality, accuracy, fairness, or reasonable care.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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