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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 This is a bridge too far concerning the upright and sensible use of contemporary AI. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 Join 10 others in the comments View Comments Similar to the Super Heavy booster, this upper portion of the vehicle is intended to land upright in the arms of the Mechazilla launch tower after flight so that it can be rapidly reused. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025 My frail-as-porcelain glutes — the cluster of tissue from hip to thigh tasked with keeping the body upright and on occasion propelling it forward — were causing a domino chain of damage, and had most likely been doing so for some time. Amy X. Wang, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025 The 23-year-old is physically larger and stockier than his counterparts, with his dribbling style idiosyncratically upright. The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for upright 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright
Adjective
  • Their legacy and honorable service to our Nation will forever remain.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
  • This only further confirmed to me that Justin and Wayfarer are exceedingly honorable and highly ethical.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Open, honest communication with your healthcare team is one of the best ways to prepare for what lies ahead and improve your quality of life.
    Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
  • These orders, including the most recent one, issued February 5, honor honest scientific inquiry and reverse the trend of activists distorting the scientific picture.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As photographed by Austin Shelton, the widescreen images — and even the vertical TikTok videos braided alongside — convey a hopeful vision of their future, more fresh start than elegy.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
  • While each system may look a little different—Cadillac and Buick have wide, curved screens while Chevrolet’s screens have dual components and GMCs are vertical—all have essentially the same great function.
    Scotty Reiss, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • With risks, investments, and ethical considerations to weigh, the right questions can determine the success of AI initiatives.
    Julie Petit, WWD, 3 Feb. 2025
  • The Aritzia Cashmere Hood is made from jersey-knit, 100 percent Grade A cashmere verified for ethical sustainability by The Good Cashmere Standard.
    Jessica Macdonald, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • One serving is approximately 31 crackers, a respectable amount, and there are about five servings total.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Hill ran a respectable 6.70 seconds—his first track appearance in nearly a decade.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Emotional moments follow, including a performance that earned a standing ovation from the judges.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Republicans gave a standing ovation in the chamber when Vice President Harris, who lost the election, announced Trump’s official victory.
    The Hill Staff, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Elizabeth had started working and spent some of her wages on nice outfits.
    Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Give your sink a nice bubble bath by stopping the drain and filling the basin along with a tablet.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The spotlight has shown light on the big, bad wolves on the other end of those chats, yet the spotlight itself has perverted the process of real justice by making this a righteous spectacle.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Psychological probing was never on the agenda: The slick, righteous pull of the episodes stands in stark contrast to remarkable, untelevised raw footage that Osit has uncovered of police rather more temperately interrogating the show’s targets after the initial capture.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near upright

Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

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