dishonest

Everyday

Dishonest means not honest: lying, cheating, stealing or tricking people. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons about truth, lies and tricks, pupils learn why being dishonest hurts trust and how to spot dishonest people, like scammers. In stories, dishonest characters are often found out. Phrases: dishonest behaviour, a dishonest person, it is dishonest to.

Examples

• It is dishonest to copy someone's answers. tree →
• The dishonest shopkeeper gave the wrong change on purpose. tree →
• Saying you did your homework when you didn't is dishonest. tree →
• A dishonest advert may promise things that aren't true. tree →
• Being dishonest makes people stop trusting you. tree →
• The fox in the story was sly and dishonest. tree →
• The dishonest get no credit, even if they act honestly. tree →

Note

Adjective made of dis- (not) + honest. The h is silent: say dis-ON-ist, so use an with honest (an honest boy) but a with dishonest (a dishonest boy). Noun: dishonesty; adverb: dishonestly.

In Jewish tradition

It means gained by cheating, violence or unfair dealing. It refers to profit taken wrongly.

Interpretation. Ezekiel condemns leaders who take dishonest gain. The prophets and the Torah treat honest dealing as a basic duty.

Examples

• Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey: to shed blood, and to destroy souls, so as to get dishonest gain. (Prophets EZK.22.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold, therefore, I have smitten My hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee. (Prophets EZK.22.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adjective made of dis- (not) + honest. The h is silent: say dis-ON-ist, so use an with honest (an honest boy) but a with dishonest (a dishonest boy). Noun: dishonesty; adverb: dishonestly.