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frankness

frankness

7 3.5
Open and honest talk that says exactly what you think
  • noun
  • /ˈfræŋknəs/
translation icon : franqueza
  • Her frankness about her feelings helped resolve the misunderstanding between them.
  • great frankness
  • such frankness

Such clear eyed frankness was vintage Candy Crowley.

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Examples

  • In our conversations, Marjie and I always kept a nice balance between frankness and tact.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Research into individuals' subjective responses to a subject depends on the frankness of the participants' responses.

    Academic text (2008)
  • And he tells us that frankness is friendly.

  • Or was some degree of frankness the only way?

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Ah, I like this new spirit of frankness.

  • But how can there be understanding without frankness?

  • Thank you, Arthur, for your frankness.

  • Let me tell you, I admire your frankness.

  • "I spoke bluntly, I suppose because there has always been a frankness between us.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • We talked endlessly and with brutal frankness about death for three years.

    Blog text (20)

Synonyms

honesty
vsfrankness
365 1.0

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

adds being openly direct and unreserved when speaking
candor
vsfrankness
  • US
42 5.7

Being open and honest when talking or behaving

is nearly identical but slightly more everyday in tone
openness
vsfrankness
22 3.5

Being honest and clear about your actions and intentions

focuses more on plain speech and blunt honesty
bluntness
vsfrankness
6 4.8

A direct and honest way of speaking that can seem rude

is close but usually less rude or abrasive
directness
vsfrankness
6 3.4

Honest, clear words and actions that say exactly what you mean

is close but stresses being openly candid rather than just clear
forthrightness
vsfrankness
3 6.6

A way of speaking that is honest and direct

is like this but can be gentler in delivery
outspokenness
vsfrankness
2 6.3

Saying your thoughts and feelings freely, often in a direct way

is similar but can be less forceful or opinionated
straightforwardness
vsfrankness
1 5.0

Being direct and honest without hiding what you think

is similar but can focus more on emotional openness
truth-telling
vsfrankness
1 4.1

Openly honest and saying facts people hide

is broader, covering open directness beyond factual disclosure
candidness
vsfrankness
1 5.1

An honest and open way of speaking or acting

is similar but emphasizes plain directness in most situations
ingenuousness
vsfrankness
1 8.2

Open and honest without trying to hide anything

is more about deliberate openness and direct truth telling
parrhesia
vsfrankness
  • Jargon
1 9.9

Speaking openly and boldly when it risks angering people in charge

is direct but does not imply risk or challenging authority
blunt honesty
vsfrankness
1 3.9

Saying the truth in a direct way that may hurt people

is similar but can be less harsh and more balanced
plainspokenness
vsfrankness
6.5

Speaking directly and honestly without hiding the truth

is similar but more neutral, not tied to folk style
honestness
vsfrankness
4.8

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

adds the extra element of direct, open speech
unreserve
vsfrankness
8.3

Open and honest speech or behavior without holding back

is like this but can be more measured and polite
freeness
vsfrankness
5.4

An open and honest way of speaking or acting

is similar but centers more on honest directness
downrightness
vsfrankness
6.7

An open and direct way of speaking or acting

is very close but may lack the same everyday warmth
bluffness
vsfrankness
7.0

Being direct and honest in a friendly, warm way

is similar but can be neutral rather than warmly blunt
unvarnished honesty
vsfrankness
5.5

Very direct and truthful speech that does not soften the facts

is like this but can include gentler openness and tact
straight-shooting honesty
vsfrankness
  • Informal
5.5

To be direct and blunt when saying the truth

is similar but can be more varied in tone and gentleness

Antonyms

46 3.2

Actions like lying, cheating, or stealing

evasion
  • Specialized
38 6.2

Not doing something you must do, for example not paying taxes, by using tricks

4 5.6

Not showing true feelings when you speak or act

How Open

openness
22 3.5
frankness
7 3.5
reticence
10 7.8
reserve
9 5.2

Surface Forms

frankness singular
franknesses plural

Morphology

frankness = frank (transparent) = frank + ness

Direct, regular derivation: the adjective 'frank' + the nominalizing suffix '-ness' yields the quality of being frank.

Etymology

Frankness comes from the old word frank, which originally meant 'free' and was also the name of the Franks people, so it suggested someone who was free to speak. Because of that idea of being 'free' to speak, frankness now means being open and honest in what you say.