Standard Lemma guide

forthrightly

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: F AO1 R TH R AY1 T L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a forthright manner

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

directly and without evasion; not roundabout

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • to face a problem squarely
  • the responsibility lies squarely with them
  • spoke forthright (or forthrightly) and to the point

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: squarely, forthright

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English forthright Middle English -ly English -ly English forthrightly From forthright + -ly.