candor

noun

can·dor | \ ˈkan-dər

, -ˌdȯr\

Definition of candor

1 : unreserved, honest, or sincere expression : forthrightness the candor with which he acknowledged a weakness in his own case— Aldous Huxley

2 : freedom from prejudice or malice : fairness … a heavy accusation … from a gentleman of your talents, liberality, and candor.— Noah Webster

3a literary : brightness, brilliance the sun poured with a more golden candor— Christoper Morley

b obsolete : unstained purity

4 archaic : kindliness

Synonyms & Antonyms Candor: It Can Be Refreshing Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about candor

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Candor: It Can Be Refreshing

Candor, related to the adjective candid, refers to straightforward honesty or frankness in speech or expression. The fact that it is frequently preceded by the adjective refreshing suggests that it is often unexpected, a shift from guarded or euphemistic language:

This is perhaps the busiest and craziest time of the year for device-case maker Brian Holmes, and he told me today with refreshing candor that “I am about to lose my mind.”
Julio Ojeda-Zapata, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9 Sept. 2016

They are openly afraid of starting a family and making mistakes, and this refreshing candor between characters is what makes the show one of the best rom-coms on TV.
Julia Edelman, People, 8 Apr. 2016

Did You Know?

The origins of "candor" shine through in its first definition. "Candor" traces back to the Latin verb candēre ("to shine or glow"), which in turn derives from the same ancient root that gave the Welsh language can, meaning "white," and the Sanskrit language "candati," which translates to "it shines." Other descendants of "candēre" in English include "candid," "incandescent," "candle," and the somewhat less common "candent" and "candescent" (both of which are synonyms of "incandescent" in the sense of "glowing from or as if from great heat"). There is even "excandescence ," an uncommon word that refers to a feverish condition brought on by anger or passion.

Examples of candor in a Sentence

But a more subtle, and perhaps the most powerful, quality in the Senator's arsenal of attractions is an unrelenting candor that verges on self-reproach … — Joe Klein, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2002 People are human; they are fallible. I concede with painful candor and a heavy heart that the adage applies to me and to my generation of American leadership regarding Vietnam. — Robert S. McNamara, In Retrospect, 1995 … thoughtful critics lamented what they designated Roosevelt's deviousness, his lack of candor … — Doris Kearns Goodwin, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 1994 One hardly knows which to admire more, the candor of the author or the forbearance of his wife and his buddy, who somehow manage to refrain from cuffing him smartly upside the head. — Jay McInerney, New York Times Book Review, 31 Mar. 1991 She spoke with candor about racism. I was impressed by the candor of his statement.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 10-part drama follows Israeli authorities’ investigation into Abu Khdeir’s murder, exposing complex human stories on all sides of the tragedy with exceptional candor. — Los Angeles Times, "As Trump fans flames on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, HBO’s gripping ‘Our Boys’ leaps into the fire," 22 Aug. 2019 The co-hosts are lively and share their stories with remarkable candor. — Rick Kogan, chicagotribune.com, "In the podcast ‘Sentenced to Life,’ conversations from the brink of pain and suicide," 5 Aug. 2019 LaRose answered questions with the candor and earnestness of a Boy Scout. — Byron Mccauley, Cincinnati.com, "We need more truthtellers like Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose," 16 July 2019 But Baltimore is nothing without its people, who possess a quality harder to pin down than the polite restraint of Midwesterners or the brusque candor of New Yorkers. — Quinn Kelley, baltimoresun.com, "It’s easy to feel disenchanted with Baltimore. It’s much easier to remember why we love it.," 13 Apr. 2018 García-Siller’s candor was surprising in part because faith leaders have been slow to call out Trump, seemingly more afraid of insulting their flocks than challenging them. — Elaine Ayala, ExpressNews.com, "Blunt Twitter talk from an archbishop and a congressman," 8 Aug. 2019 He was dismissed less than two days before his retirement date following his being under investigation by the Justice Department’s inspector general for improper disclosure of information to the media and lack of candor to federal investigators. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "McCabe sues Justice Department, FBI over his firing," 8 Aug. 2019 The calls also offered a rare moment of candor by a reputed gang member on how the reality of the city’s streets had forced him to carry a street slang for a gun for protection. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Daywatch: A rare look at Chicago’s entrenched gun culture, post-Lollapalooza depression and other things to know to start your day," 6 Aug. 2019 The candor feels right for 2019, a year that has found the conversation about mental health spurred on by young people. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Billie Eilish Gets Real About Her Struggles With Body Dysmorphia," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'candor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for candor

candor

noun

English Language Learners Definition of candor

: the quality of being open, sincere, and honest

See the full definition for candor in the English Language Learners Dictionary

candor

noun

can·dor | \ ˈkan-dər

Kids Definition of candor

: sincere and honest expression She spoke with candor about the problem.

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candor

Definition of candor

Synonyms & Antonyms for candor

Candor: It Can Be Refreshing

Did You Know?

Examples of candor in a Sentence

First Known Use of candor

History and Etymology for candor

English Language Learners Definition of candor

Kids Definition of candor

candor

Definition of candor

Synonyms & Antonyms for candor

Candor: It Can Be Refreshing

Did You Know?

Examples of candor in a Sentence

First Known Use of candor

History and Etymology for candor

English Language Learners Definition of candor

Kids Definition of candor

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