Antonyms for Integrity: Opposite Words
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: The opposite of integrity is dishonesty, which describes a lack of honest or moral principles. Other true antonyms include corruption, hypocrisy, and treachery. These words represent behaviors that betray trust or moral standards, standing in direct contrast to the consistency and honesty that define integrity.
Direct Opposites of Integrity
- Dishonesty
- The state of not being truthful or honest. "His story was full of dishonesty that ruined the project's reputation."
- Corruption
- The abuse of power for personal gain. "The official was found guilty of corruption after accepting bribes."
- Hypocrisy
- Claiming to have virtues one does not possess. "Her hypocrisy was obvious when she preached kindness but acted selfishly."
- Treachery
- Betrayal or disloyalty towards a friend or group. "The treachery of the ally shocked everyone who trusted them."
- Deceit
- The act of hiding the truth to mislead others. "The scam relied on sheer deceit to fool the investors."
- Cowardice
- Lack of courage or moral strength to stand firm. "His cowardice showed when he refused to speak up for the truth."
- Vileness
- Extremely bad or wicked behavior. "The crime was marked by a vileness that shocked the community."
- Unworthiness
- Lacking the quality to be trusted or respected. "The untrustworthy character showed his unworthiness during the crisis."
- Falsehood
- The quality of being untrue or fake. "The report was dismissed as nothing but falsehood and lies."
- Infidelity
- Disloyalty, especially in relationships or commitments. "The infidelity ended the marriage and destroyed their family trust."
Milder Opposites of Integrity
- Impurity
- The presence of something that makes things less pure or whole. "The team worked to remove any impurity from their moral code."
- Irregularity
- Lack of consistency or regularity in behavior. "The irregularity in his actions made it hard to trust his judgment."
- Faultiness
- Having flaws or defects that prevent perfection. "The plan was rejected due to its obvious faultiness."
- Inconsistency
- Lacking a stable or uniform character. "Her inconsistency made it difficult to rely on her word."
- Unreliability
- The inability to be trusted or counted on. "The project failed because of the team's unreliability under pressure."
- Unsoundness
- Lacking firmness or sound judgment in character. "The argument fell apart because of its unsoundness."
- Depravity
- Moral corruption or wickedness, often used for serious decline. "The story warned against the slow path to depravity."
- Impropriety
- Behavior that is not right or acceptable in a situation. "The meeting was adjourned due to a minor impropriety."
Formal Antonyms for Integrity
- Corruptness
- The condition of being morally depraved or dishonest. "The corruption of the system led to widespread public anger."
- Duplicity
- Deceitfulness, especially in dealing with others. "His duplicity was exposed when the documents were released."
- Moral Decay
- The process of losing moral principles over time. "Society faces moral decay when it ignores justice."
- Perfidy
- Deceitfulness or untruthfulness, especially in a cruel way. "The perfidy of the enemy caused great suffering."
- Falseness
- The quality of being false or not genuine. "The falseness of the advertisement was noticed by experts."
- Unfaithfulness
- Lack of faithfulness to a person or cause. "The unfaithfulness of the partner broke the contract."
Best Opposite by Situation
- In a business report
- The best opposite is dishonesty. "The report was criticized for its dishonesty regarding the financial losses."
- When describing a person
- The best opposite is hypocrisy. "The critic was accused of hypocrisy for their own selfish behavior."
- In a legal context
- The best opposite is treachery. "The lawyer argued that the defendant acted with treachery."
- When discussing ethics
- The best opposite is corruptness. "The study highlighted the corruptness of the old system."
- In a relationship
- The best opposite is infidelity. "The couple faced a crisis caused by his infidelity."
- When analyzing behavior
- The best opposite is deceit. "The investigation revealed the deceit behind the scheme."
Example Sentences With the Opposites
- "His dishonesty made it impossible to trust him again."
- "The corruption in the office led to immediate resignations."
- "She felt betrayed by his treachery and left the group."
- "The scandal was built on layers of deceit and lies."
- "His cowardice prevented him from defending his friends."
- "The hypocrisy of the leaders was evident in their actions."
- "The deceitful salesman promised goods that did not exist."
- "Her infidelity destroyed the foundation of their marriage."
How to Choose the Right Opposite
To choose the right opposite for integrity, consider the specific context and the degree of moral failure you wish to describe. If the situation involves breaking laws or abusing power, corruption is the strongest choice because it implies a systemic betrayal of trust. For personal interactions where someone claims to be good but acts badly, hypocrisy is the precise term as it highlights the gap between words and actions. When discussing general untruthfulness without a specific motive, dishonesty is the broad and accurate antonym. In cases involving betrayal of a specific person or group, treachery captures the emotional weight of the act better than simple lies. Always ensure the chosen word matches the severity of the action, as some opposites like vileness are much stronger than milder terms like irregularity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary opposite of integrity?
The primary opposite of integrity is dishonesty, which refers to a lack of honesty or moral principles. Other common antonyms include corruption, hypocrisy, and treachery, each highlighting different aspects of moral failure such as abuse of power or betrayal.
Is inconsistency the opposite of integrity?
Inconsistency is a related concept but not a direct antonym of integrity. While integrity involves being consistent with one's moral principles, inconsistency simply means changing one's mind or actions. True opposites like dishonesty or corruption involve a fundamental lack of moral character rather than just a lack of consistency.
What is the difference between integrity and honesty?
Honesty is a component of integrity, focusing specifically on truthfulness in speech and action. Integrity is broader, encompassing honesty combined with moral courage and the ability to do the right thing even when no one is watching. You can be honest without having integrity if you lack the strength to follow through on moral duties.
Can a person have partial integrity?
Yes, a person can have partial integrity, meaning they are honest in some areas but not others. Integrity is often viewed as a spectrum rather than an all-or-nothing trait. Someone might show integrity in their professional life but lack it in their personal relationships, demonstrating that the opposite can vary by context.





