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integrity

noun
in·​teg·​ri·​ty | \ in-ˈte-grÉ™-tÄ“ How to pronounce integrity (audio) \

Definition of integrity

1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about integrity

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Choose the Right Synonym for integrity

honesty, honor, integrity, probity mean uprightness of character or action. honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way. honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position. integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge. probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Examples of integrity in a Sentence

Many were tempted by a piece of the equity action and compromised their integrity. — Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002 By September, Gorbachev had told his aides that with Eastern Europe and Germany lost, the task was to defend the integrity of the Soviet Union itself. — Condoleezza Rice, Newsweek, 22 Nov. 1999 But it is stunning to hear self-appointed watchdogs of public integrity shrug their shoulders at "standard" prosecutorial practice … — Wendy Kaminer, New York Times Book Review, 22 Mar. 1998 … a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist … donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark. — Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991 He's a man of the highest integrity. I admire her artistic integrity. She had the integrity to refuse to compromise on matters of principle. Without music, the film loses its integrity. They are trying to preserve the cultural integrity of the community. The earthquake may have damaged the building's structural integrity.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The commander declined to name the suspect, where or when the homicide occurred or any other details, citing the integrity of the investigation. — Kim Fu, The Mercury News, "Secrets of federal law enforcement action and standoff in North Bay revealed," 30 Aug. 2019 The accuracy of the 2020 census is extremely important, and Google is committed to combating misinformation and fraudulent activities to help ensure the integrity of the count. — Bill Lambrecht, ExpressNews.com, "Advocates push Census Bureau to prepare for security breaches, disinformation ahead of 2020 count," 30 Aug. 2019 The battle over purges has generally broken down on partisan lines: Republicans have defended the purges as necessary to preserve the integrity of Ohio’s elections, while Democrats claim it’s a ploy to disenfranchise voters in blue-leaning areas. — Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com, "Purged Ohio voters can cast provisional ballots through 2022, under legal settlement," 29 Aug. 2019 Accounts commenting on the viral post questioned the integrity of the U.S. election system. — NBC News, "Voting machine issues and viral video cast shadow on Mississippi governor's race," 29 Aug. 2019 The integrity of the sport is critical to that goal. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Examining Wilson Chandler's Suspension for PEDs and Infrequency of Steroids in the NBA," 29 Aug. 2019 Citizens and farmers have complained that the release of such corn, which pollinates through the wind, would threaten the integrity of Mexico’s remarkable repository of some 23,000 varieties of native corn that have evolved over millennia. — Timothy A. Wise, WIRED, "Big Ag Is Sabotaging Progress on Climate Change," 28 Aug. 2019 The results of the tests—expected to continue into next year—will help validate the integrity of the design. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Rocket Report: Single-core Delta IV is no more, fully automated Soyuz," 23 Aug. 2019 The structural integrity of his elbow was not in jeopardy then. — Los Angeles Times, "Angels catchers’ serious power outage is a secondary concern to GM Billy Eppler," 22 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of integrity

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for integrity

Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire

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More Definitions for integrity

integrity

noun
How to pronounce integrity (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of integrity

: the quality of being honest and fair
: the state of being complete or whole

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

integrity

noun
in·​teg·​ri·​ty | \ in-ˈte-grÉ™-tÄ“ How to pronounce integrity (audio) \

Kids Definition of integrity

1 : total honesty and sincerity a person of integrity
2 : the condition of being free from damage or defect The building has structural integrity.

integrity

noun
in·​teg·​ri·​ty | \ in-ˈteg-rÉ™t-Ä“ How to pronounce integrity (audio) \
plural integrities

Medical Definition of integrity

: an unimpaired condition personality function depends greatly upon the integrity of brain function — Diagnostic & Statistical Manual

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