Probity
noun /ˈprəʊbɪti/ — Moral uprightness so consistent it has become character.
Definition
The quality of having strong moral principles; complete honesty and integrity.
Beyond the definition
Probity is the long game of character. Not just honesty in a moment, but the reputation built by consistent honesty across decades. When a person of probity gives their word, you don't need paperwork.
Origin & history
From Latin probitas — uprightness, honesty (probus 'good, honest'). Related to probe — to test for genuineness.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her reputation for probity meant she was always called in when others couldn't be trusted.
Institutional probity is the slow accumulation of kept promises.
He operated with a quiet probity that made elaborate governance structures unnecessary.
Synonyms
Antonyms
corruption, dishonesty, duplicity
Related words
Probity vs integrity
Probity specifically emphasizes adherence to strict moral principles and honesty. Integrity refers to the wholeness of one's character, where one's actions align with their stated values.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Ordered work with wooden pieces
An adult works at a table, methodically arranging complex, interlocking wooden pieces into a clear, ordered structure.
The meticulous, step-by-step assembly of the structure reflects a sense of unwavering integrity. Probity suggests the quality of having strong moral principles and complete honesty, evidenced by the subject's transparent, consistent, and methodical work process.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration