forthright

1 of 3

adjective

forth·​right ˈfȯrth-ˌrīt How to pronounce forthright (audio)
1
: free from ambiguity or evasiveness : going straight to the point
a forthright critic
was forthright in appraising the problem
2
: notably simple in style or quality
forthright furniture
3
archaic : proceeding straight on
forthrightly adverb
forthrightness noun

forthright

2 of 3

adverb

1
archaic
a
: directly forward
b
: without hesitation : frankly
2
archaic : at once

forthright

3 of 3

noun

archaic
: a straight path

Examples of forthright in a Sentence

Adjective she sometimes was a little too forthright for her own good and ended up saying things that inadvertently offended people I appreciate your forthright explanation of the situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Both Isabella and her father have been forthright about the difficult moments of her cancer treatment since disclosing her diagnosis earlier this year. Shania Russell, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 The complicated and forthright portrayal of her in the book is one of its strongest aspects. Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 Rashad’s music has always been forthright about his struggles with depression and suicidality; many fans, drawn to his striking vulnerability, condemned the leak. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2024 While to me this seems honest, forthright and fearless – this other couple seem to see your approach as aggressive, negative, or even hostile. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 2 Feb. 2024 With a helmet of white hair and nattily dressed, Peltz retains traces of his Brooklyn childhood, chiefly his accent, but also his forthright, pull-no-punches style. Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 His particularly forthright approaches appear to be resonating, with both initiatives welcomed positively. Max Foster, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Neither side has been forthright in revealing casualty counts. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Thank them for their confidence in you to continue their dream, and be forthright about your apprehensions. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forthright.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English forthriht, from forth + riht right

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forthright was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near forthright

Cite this Entry

“Forthright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forthright. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

forthright

adjective
forth·​right
ˈfōrth-ˌrīt,
ˈfȯrth-
: going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a forthright answer
forthrightly adverb
forthrightness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on forthright

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