upright

adjective

ˈəp-ˌrīt How to pronounce upright (audio)
Definition of uprightnext
1
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue an honest and upright people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honest
following the accepted rules of moral conduct informing the clerk that he had just given me back too much in change was the only upright thing to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vertical
rising straight up only one pillar of the ruined temple remained upright

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective upright differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of upright are conscientious, honest, honorable, just, and scrupulous. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of upright?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When might honest be a better fit than upright?

In some situations, the words honest and upright are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When can honorable be used instead of upright?

The synonyms honorable and upright are sometimes interchangeable, but honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

When is just a more appropriate choice than upright?

While in some cases nearly identical to upright, just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of upright An upright and stable landing made Firefly the first private company to put a spacecraft on the moon without crashing or falling over. — Landon Mion, Fox News, 2 Mar. 2025 While upright types of sedum make attractive additions to mixed borders, creeping sedums make excellent choices for a groundcover in a sunny area. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Mar. 2025 These long-blooming tropicals have a compact, upright habit, and dense branching for big impact in gardens and containers. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025 Inside, the queen inner-spring mattress promises a comfortable, home-like night of sleep and two cushioned headboards make for more comfortable upright lounging. — New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright
  1. honorable
  2. honest
  3. vertical
  4. ethical
  5. respectable
  6. standing
  7. nice
  8. righteous
Adjective
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    — Quang X. Pham, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The outgoing Chairman, Gen. Charles 'CQ' Brown, Jr., USAF, has served with distinction in a career spanning four decades of honorable service.
    — Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • But to be honest the significant immune support is more than enough to keep me taking it.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Without fair elections, an honest media environment and a credible opposition, voters can’t correct their country’s course at the ballot box, providing competitive authoritarian regimes little incentive to do anything but enrich themselves.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • The massive movement of water during El Niño can also result in vertical movement of heat throughout the ocean's layers.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Then identify the physical feats your ascent will require (e.g. 3,000-foot ascent with a 25-pound pack, 200 vertical feet of ice climbing, three pitches of 5.8 rock climbing) and set training check points in your calendar that match these goals.
    — Sean McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of vertical
Adjective
  • The breach revealed that their products were being used for human rights abuses, despite claims of ethical oversight.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Next up is a spotlight on industry ethics, workers’ rights and representation, addressing systemic challenges such as fair pay, ethical production practices and the evolving role of women in the industry.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Collecting old art was posh and respectable, but in an America still scandalized by the sight of breasts, collecting modern art was outrageous.
    — Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The ThinkCentre's display isn't the brightest but matches the IdeaCentre in color coverage, with respectable results for Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 despite not being designed for creative-focused tasks.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • With Mike Witcher on dobro and Ethan Ballinger on mandolin, guitar, and harmony vocals, the Luke Bulla Trio gave a commanding performance that well-deserved its standing ovations, the news release stated.
    — Del Mar Foundation, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Musk got a standing ovation − from the Republican side of the aisle, that is − when Trump acknowledged him, seated in the gallery.
    — Susan Page, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of standing
Adjective
  • Suede bags are still everywhere and a nice commercial proposal adapted to many trends.
    — Sandra Salibian, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The sound quality is crisp and full-bodied, with a nice bass punch, and the Immersive Audio feature adds a fun, spatial touch to your listening.
    — Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • Belinda is suspicious and could bring righteous retribution ... or become his next victim.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Typically, the argument goes that all Trump’s lying and disinformation, met with righteous scolding from liberals, has led to mass desensitization, over everything from Trump’s thirty-four felony convictions to his racist rhetoric.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of righteous

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Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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