Honest in feeling or intention, with expression that matches what is meant.
Reach for it when praising thanks, concern, apology, or character as free from pretense
Her sincere apology named the harm and the repair she would make.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
Fits when truthfulness of the content matters
Careful Honest words can be blunt or reluctantly factual without sincere goodwill.
warm
Fits when authenticity rather than performance is central
Careful Genuine can describe an object or identity, while sincere concerns feeling or intent.
warm
Fits when strong personal emotion gives words their truth
Careful A sincere professional promise may be calm rather than emotionally heartfelt.
warm
Fits when full commitment accompanies sincere support
Careful Sincerity can be real even when energy or agreement is limited.
professional
Fits when conduct aligns with identity or stated values
Careful Its broad, fashionable use can feel less personal than sincere.
professional
Fits when open disclosure avoids concealment
Careful Candor may reveal an unpleasant truth without warmth or good intention.
formal
Fits when serious conviction and effort are visibly present
Careful It can make a light but genuine compliment sound solemn.
literary
Fits when explicitly ruling out pretense matters
Careful The rare form draws attention to itself in a simple thank-you note.
sincere thanks
Please accept our sincere thanks for keeping the kitchen open late.
sincere person
A sincere person, Mala said what she could promise and what she could not.
sincere apology
His sincere apology was followed by a corrected invoice that morning.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
Your browser isn't saving lists, so this one will be cleared when you leave the page.