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candidly

candidly

28 4.1
In an honest, direct way without hiding your true thoughts
  • adverb
  • /ˈkændɪdli/
translation icon : francamente
  • The stories of two women candidly address this question.
  • speak candidly
  • candidly acknowledged
  • candidly admitted

You can do it with fear and candidly you're really good at that.

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Examples

Synonyms

frankly
vscandidly
3.2

In an honest and direct way that may upset or surprise

is plain honesty without the emphasis on potential offence
to tell the truth
vscandidly
814 2.7

Say what really happened without hiding facts or lying

is the same truthful action but more focused on plain openness
straight
vscandidly
392 1.6

In an honest and direct way

leans more on sincere openness rather than mere bluntness
openly
vscandidly
303 1.6

To say or do things without hiding feelings

focuses more on private honest expression rather than public disclosure
tell you the truth
vscandidly
  • Informal
227 4.5

Say you are being honest before you speak

is simple frankness without serving as a discourse introducer
to be honest
vscandidly
  • Informal
221 2.3

To show you are telling the truth or how you really feel

represents direct honest expression rather than a prefacing phrase
honestly
vscandidly
182 1.3

In a truthful way that shows you mean what you say

stresses straightforward openness more than moral emphasis
directly
vscandidly
88 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

is similar but emphasises truthful openness rather than just plainness
truthfully
vscandidly
83 2.3

To tell what really happened without lying or hiding anything

adds a stronger sense of open frankness rather than just accuracy
to tell the truth
vscandidly
  • Informal
48 3.2

To say something that is true even if it is surprising

is straightforward honesty itself rather than a lead-in phrase
straight-up
vscandidly
  • Informal
43 7.9

Used to say something is completely honest without exaggeration

is similar but more neutral and less slangy in tone
outright
vscandidly
36 4.3

Directly and openly, without hiding or delay

is similar but may feel more conversational and less absolute
flat out
vscandidly
  • Informal
21 7.0

To say something plainly without hiding feelings

stays direct but usually with calmer openness rather than force
truth be told
vscandidly
  • Informal
17 5.6

You say it to show you are honest, even if it sounds awkward

is the plain act of honest speaking rather than a prefatory marker
forthrightly
vscandidly
7 6.7

In a direct and honest way without hiding anything

is equally honest but slightly more neutral in tone
straightforwardly
vscandidly
5 3.9

In a clear, honest way without hiding anything

is more about frank truthfulness rather than plain simplicity
baldly
vscandidly
3 7.2

In a plain, direct way that does not make bad news seem softer

is equally plain but usually avoids the harsh, cutting tone
ingenuously
vscandidly
1 7.7

In an open and honest way that shows no hidden plan

is more consciously straightforward and less naive in tone
outrightly
vscandidly
6.0

In a complete and direct way, without any doubt

tends to be slightly milder and more personally honest
bluffly
vscandidly
8.0

In a direct, sometimes abrupt way that shows little patience

is honest too but normally less abrupt and more measured

How Direct

brutally
  • Offensive
142 6.1
bluntly
40 4.6
candidly
28 4.1
frankly
3.2
openly
303 1.6
tactfully
4 4.4

Surface Forms

candidly positive

Morphology

candidly = candid (transparent) = candid + ly

Formed by the regular adverbial suffix '-ly' from the adjective 'candid', so the manner meaning is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

Candidly comes from the Latin candidus, which meant 'white' and 'pure' because people once wore white to show honesty. So to speak candidly is to speak 'openly' and 'honestly'.