Comprehensive Guide to “Reputable”: Definitions, Synonyms, and Usage
reputable – Definition and Part of Speech
The adjective reputable describes someone or something that has a good reputation, is widely respected for their high standards, integrity, or reliability. It is often used in contexts where credibility and trustworthiness are important.
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Grammatical Forms: While “reputable” itself does not have different forms like some verbs do, it can be paired with nouns (e.g., a reputable company) or used attributively or predicatively in sentences (e.g., This institution is reputable).
Core Synonyms
Here are some core synonyms for reputable, each with nuances that slightly differentiate them from one another:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respected | Implying widespread regard and esteem | “The respected professor was invited to speak at the international conference.” | Formal, Academic |
| Esteemed | Conveys a sense of honor and high respect | “She is an esteemed author known for her contributions to literature.” | Formal, Academic/Professional |
| Credible | Focuses on believability and trustworthiness | “The credible journalist provided unbiased reporting during the election.” | Business, Informal |
| Trustworthy | Emphasizes reliability and integrity | “He is considered a trustworthy partner in business dealings.” | Casual/Professional |
| Honorable | Suggests a moral uprightness | “An honorable member of the community who volunteers for many causes.” | Formal, Professional |
Usage Notes
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Respected: Suitable for academic papers and professional contexts where the person or entity has achieved high regard within their field. For example, “The respected scientist received numerous accolades.”
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Esteemed: Often used in more formal writing to denote admiration for someone’s work or character. In business settings, you might say, “We are fortunate to have such esteemed colleagues on our team.”
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Credible: Best applied when discussing sources, reports, or individuals who are convincing and dependable, especially useful in journalistic contexts. For example, a blog post could state, “The report is credible and well-researched.”
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Trustworthy: Ideal for both written communication and everyday conversation where personal integrity is highlighted. An informal note might read, “I trust her to handle our project because she’s always been trustworthy.”
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Honorable: This term fits well in speeches or formal articles that celebrate moral excellence and ethical conduct. It could appear as: “She was awarded the honor for her honorable service to society.”
Common Pitfalls
One common mistake is confusing reputable with synonyms like popular. While both may indicate a positive attribute, reputable specifically refers to respect earned through high standards or integrity, whereas popular merely indicates widespread approval without necessarily implying quality.
Additionally, esteemed and respected might be used interchangeably, but esteemed often carries a stronger implication of admiration for achievements or contributions rather than general goodwill as with respected.
Final Recap
In summary, synonyms for reputable include respected, esteemed, credible, trustworthy, and honorable. Each offers subtle differences in nuance and is best suited to particular contexts:
- Use respected and esteemed for formal acknowledgments of regard or honor.
- Opt for credible when emphasizing believability and trust in information or individuals.
- Choose trustworthy to highlight personal integrity and reliability in everyday language.
- Apply honorable to underscore moral excellence.
To expand your vocabulary, practice using these synonyms by crafting sentences that fit specific contexts, such as business emails or academic essays. Engaging with them in conversation can further solidify their meanings and appropriate usage.