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SINCERITY
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The trait of being serious
Example:
a lack of solemnity is not necessarily a lack of seriousness
Synonyms:
earnestness; serious-mindedness; seriousness; sincerity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("sincerity" is a kind of...):
trait (a distinguishing feature of your personal nature)
Attribute:
serious (concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities)
frivolous (not serious in content or attitude or behavior)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sincerity"):
commitment; committedness (the trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose)
graveness; gravity; soberness; sobriety; somberness; sombreness (a manner that is serious and solemn)
sedateness; solemness; solemnity; staidness (a trait of dignified seriousness)
Derivation:
sincere (characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A quality of naturalness and simplicity
Example:
the simple sincerity of folk songs
Synonyms:
sincerity; unassumingness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("sincerity" is a kind of...):
naturalness (the quality of being natural or based on natural principles)
Sense 3
Meaning:
The quality of being open and truthful; not deceitful or hypocritical
Example:
they demanded some proof of my sincerity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("sincerity" is a kind of...):
truthfulness (the quality of being truthful)
Attribute:
sincere (open and genuine; not deceitful)
insincere (lacking sincerity)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sincerity"):
heartiness; wholeheartedness (the quality of hearty sincerity)
singleness; straightforwardness (without hypocrisy)
Antonym:
insincerity (the quality of not being open or truthful; deceitful or hypocritical)
Derivation:
sincere (open and genuine; not deceitful)
Sense 4
Meaning:
An earnest and sincere feeling
Synonyms:
earnestness; seriousness; sincerity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("sincerity" is a kind of...):
gravity; solemnity (a solemn and dignified feeling)
Derivation:
sincere (characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions)
Context examples:
“Robert Martin's manners have sense, sincerity, and good-humour to recommend them; and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet Smith could understand.”
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Interpret my words with candour and answer me, I conjure you, with confidence and sincerity.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
His soft, precise fashion of speech leaves a conviction of sincerity which a mere bully could not produce.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
For having strictly examined all the persons of greatest name in the courts of princes, for a hundred years past, I found how the world had been misled by prostitute writers, to ascribe the greatest exploits in war, to cowards; the wisest counsel, to fools; sincerity, to flatterers; Roman virtue, to betrayers of their country; piety, to atheists; chastity, to sodomites; truth, to informers: how many innocent and excellent persons had been condemned to death or banishment by the practising of great ministers upon the corruption of judges, and the malice of factions: how many villains had been exalted to the highest places of trust, power, dignity, and profit: how great a share in the motions and events of courts, councils, and senates might be challenged by bawds, whores, pimps, parasites, and buffoons.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
“You have convinced me of your sincerity,” she said, with a faint smile.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
"You shall," repeated Mary, in the tone of undemonstrative sincerity which seemed natural to her.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
"He is rich, a gentleman, and has delightful manners," began Amy, trying to be quite cool and dignified, but feeling a little ashamed of herself, in spite of the sincerity of her intentions.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The two grandmothers, with not less partiality, but more sincerity, were equally earnest in support of their own descendant.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
It was a heartiness, and a warmth, and a sincerity which Anne delighted in the more, from the sad want of such blessings at home.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
