[dis.hon.est] adj [ME, fr. MF deshoneste, fr. des- dis- + honeste honest] (14c) 1 obs: shameful, unchaste
2: characterized by lack of truth, honesty, or trustworthiness: unfair, deceptive -- dis.hon.est.ly adv syn dishonest, deceitful, mendacious, untruthful mean unworthy of trust or belief. dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud "a swindle usually involves two dishonest people". deceitful usu. implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing "the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse". mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths "mendacious tales of adventure". untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality "an untruthful account of their actions".