Synonyms

candidly

American

[kan-did-lee] / ˈkæn dɪd li /

adverb

in a frank, outspoken, straightforward way; openly and without holding back.

We created a neutral space where everyone could speak candidly about race issues and also work side-by-side in "co-designing" solutions.
without any posing or scripting, and typically without the knowledge of the person being photographed or filmed.

We are stealing from our subjects when we work candidly—stealing moments, expressions, emotions, positions, and movements.
fairly and impartially; honestly.

“Look at these matters candidly, Mr. Editor,” wrote one subscriber.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of candidly

candid ( def. ) + -ly

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.

"I'm 44 now, and, candidly, I'm living it," he said, he said of the Dream.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

A Harvard-educated attorney and Vanderbilt heiress, Burden, 56, writes candidly about how she ceded control of her finances to her ex during their 20-year marriage, trusting him to act in her best interests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

“The idea that we should have to identify ourselves and create this link to our identity that removes our ability to safely and candidly critique power and wealth is crazy to me.”

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

“The premium consumer is candidly immune or becoming more immune to the headlines and not delaying their investment in the experience economy,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on the earnings call.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

He candidly explained that it wasn’t me he was actually interested in, or even the publicity he hoped my article would generate, particularly.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023