It may be nicer, in certain ways, to be honest (7)
I believe the answer is:
sincere
'honest' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
'it may be nicer in certain ways' is the wordplay.
'it may be' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'certain ways' becomes 'se' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'nicer' with letters rearranged gives 'incer'.
'incer' put inside 'se' is 'SINCERE'.
'to be' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sincere that I've seen before include "Earnest" , "natural?" , "Unaffected" , "Free from deception" , "Open and genuine, not deceitful" .)