There are numerous synonyms for the phrase "were dishonest". Some of the common ones include: being deceitful, untruthful, insincere, disingenuous, deceptive, manipulative, fraudulent, false, treacherous, misleading, and two-faced. These words refer to individuals who deliberately hide the truth or deceive others for their own advantage. Whether it's a white lie or a major deception, dishonesty erodes trust, damages relationships, and negatively impacts everyone involved. As such, it is important to recognize and avoid dishonest behavior as much as possible. Learning and using synonyms for the phrase can help one to effectively communicate and understand the gravity of such a behavior.