sincerity
Americannoun
Synonym Usage
See honor.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of sincerity
First recorded in 1540–50; from the Latin word sincēritās; see sincere, -ity
Explanation
Sincerity is a mix of seriousness and honesty. If you do things with sincerity, people will trust you. Along with patience and compassion, sincerity is one of those qualities we all probably wish we had more of — and wish other people had more of, too. People who show sincerity are being serious, kind, and truthful. Politicians who show sincerity tend to do well because people believe them. An apology full of sincerity will probably be accepted. On the other hand, if you show no sincerity — by being sarcastic or dismissive — well, who wants an apology like that?
Vocabulary lists containing sincerity
Beowulf: A New Telling
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John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
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List 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sincerity isn't the point, justifying their will to dominate others is.
From Salon • Nov. 1, 2023
Sincerity is an unusual tone for its director, Guy Ritchie, who specializes in laddish shoot-’em-ups.
From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2023
Roloff wore a beautiful Justin Alexander's Sincerity Collection dress while Marek wore a black suit for the special occasion.
From Fox News • Aug. 30, 2021
Sincerity, passion and effort, you see, are lame.
From Washington Post • Aug. 14, 2019
I will do any thing to convince you of my Sincerity, and to make Satisfaction for the Injuries which have been done you.
From The Toy Shop (1735) The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737) by Dodsley, Robert
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
