truth-teller

This term carries a strong moral connotation, often implying a sense of courage or integrity. It is frequently used in contexts involving whistleblowing, social justice, or ethical dilemmas where honesty comes at a personal or professional cost. While "honest person" is a neutral description of character, "truth-teller" suggests a deliberate act of speaking truth to power or challenging a prevailing falsehood.

In political or corporate discourse, the word can be used both as a badge of honor for the speaker and as a pejorative by those who view the speaker as a troublemaker or a traitor to the organization. The hyphenation is standard, though it occasionally appears as two separate words in less formal writing.