sincerity
Americannoun
Synonym Usage
See honor.
Other Word 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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 8
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“He’s up there with Philip Seymour Hoffman for me. There’s something otherworldly personal about what they gave, such sincerity and vulnerability and an absolute dedication to craft. They leave a mark on your heart.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Don’t doubt the sincerity of his desire to see Mr. Netanyahu in handcuffs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Context allows people to recognize sarcasm, humor, sincerity, and emotion.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026
"In my experience, Jannik the person outstrips Jannik the athlete. It is his simple manner, his sincerity, his openness and his direct connection with people."
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
“It’s definitely more complicated, given the cultural scripts we’ve all grown up with,” said Woolner, who has a master’s degree in counseling and radiates a thoughtful sincerity.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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.
