What is the term that indicates a lacking in directness or honesty?

Prepare for the GRE Basic Exam. Enhance your vocabulary with flashcards and challenging multiple-choice questions. Each query comes with hints and explanations. Elevate your lexicon and ace the exam!

The term that indicates a lack of directness or honesty is "disingenuous." This word refers to someone who is not being completely honest or sincere. A disingenuous person may present themselves in a way that appears honest while actually concealing their true feelings or intentions. This is often seen in interactions where one might feign ignorance, innocence, or sympathy in order to manipulate or mislead others.

In contrast, the other choices reflect different characteristics. "Straightforward" suggests clarity and honesty, representing the opposite of being disingenuous. "Crafty" implies a cleverness often used for deceitful or manipulative purposes, but it does not specifically capture the idea of lacking sincerity. "Clear-cut" denotes something that is straightforward and unambiguous, which also contradicts the meaning conveyed by disingenuous. Thus, "disingenuous" is the most appropriate term for describing someone who lacks directness or honesty.

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