honorable
adjective
hon·or·able
ˈä-nə-rə-bəl 
ˈän-rə-,
ˈä-nər-
1
: deserving of respect or high regard : deserving of honor
an honorable profession
2
a
: of great renown : illustrious
the college's long and honorable history
b
: entitled to honor or respect
—used as a title for the children of certain British noblemen and for various government officials
the Honorable Judge Smith
the Honorable Senator from California
3
: performed or accompanied with marks of honor or respect
4
a
: attesting to creditable conduct
honorable wounds
b
: consistent with a reputation that is not tarnished or sullied
an honorable withdrawal
received an honorable discharge from the army
5
: characterized by integrity : guided by a keen sense of duty and ethical conduct
Brutus is an honorable man—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeareassured her that his intentions were honorable
Examples of honorable in a Sentence
The college has a long and honorable history.
It is not honorable of you to behave like that.
They are trying to find an honorable way out of this dispute.
He assured her that his intentions were honorable.
He received an honorable discharge from the army.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chess pros from around the world have since praised Naroditsky as an honorable player who used his online platform to make chess more accessible.
—Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Despite being deceived, Stone, who dated Garfield for four years, conceded that the actor's dedication to the secret was honorable.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
This person has brought shame and disgrace to the badge and to an honorable profession.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The honorable profession of arms is not built on Rambo politics.
—Loree Sutton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable
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Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Despite being deceived, Stone, who dated Garfield for four years, conceded that the actor's dedication to the secret was honorable.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
This person has brought shame and disgrace to the badge and to an honorable profession.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The honorable profession of arms is not built on Rambo politics.
—Loree Sutton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable
Cite this Entry
“Honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorable. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
honorable
adjective
hon·or·able
ˈän-(ə-)rə-bəl
ˈän-ər-bəl
1
: deserving of honor
2
—used as a title especially for various government officials
3
: performed or accompanied with marks of honor
an honorable burial
4
: doing credit to the possessor
honorable wounds
5
: characterized by honesty : ethical
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