upstanding

adjective

ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ How to pronounce upstanding (audio)
Definition of upstandingnext
1
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct a fine, upstanding woman who deserves to be nominated to the state's highest court

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vertical
rising straight up not a single wall remained upstanding after the tornado had passed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 upstanding Penny did not testify, but several of his relatives, friends and fellow Marines did — describing him as an upstanding, patriotic and empathetic man. — Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024 Bill, up until this point, is an upstanding member of society. — Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2024 In the spirit of holiday giving, the team invites their community to nominate and vote for upstanding charitable organizations that support mothers. — Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 The scene is played for comedy, of course, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate that the upstanding Rick is still capable of succumbing to an ethical lapse. — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for upstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upstanding
  1. honorable
  2. vertical
  3. honest
  4. standing
  5. ethical
  6. erect
  7. respectable
  8. upright
Adjective
  • That his record is treated as honorable, rather than hushed up and relegated to the trash bin of history, is a sour commentary on heroism and distinction in modern America.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The scribes of ancient Egypt were among the world’s first bureaucrats, and while scribal work was considered prestigious and honorable, a career as a scribe was also a way of evading the hardships of other forms of labor.
    — Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of honorable
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
  • Sellers are still obliged to provide accurate and honest information.
    — Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Encourage candidates to ask questions and provide honest answers.
    — Rebecca Skilbeck, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of honest
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
  • The breach revealed that their products were being used for human rights abuses, despite claims of ethical oversight.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Recent projects with brands have centered on developing innovative denim that prioritizes sustainability and ethical production—fitting, with California leading the charge for green manufacturing.
    — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Tilted up, the erect collars gave the models the image of Bela Lugosi attending a Kiss concert.
    — Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
  • This action will allow the Department of Defense to deploy active-duty and National Guard military to the southern border, erect barriers, and work on ways to take down enemy drones.
    — Joseph Lawler, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Feb. 2025
Definition of erect
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
  • From acrylic tubes designed to help makeup brushes stand upright on display to narrow carts that keep my daily essentials handy in my quaint New York City bathroom.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Tired of lugging out your heavy upright vacuum every time your pet drags in dirt or a few crumbs make their way onto the kitchen floor?
    — Maggie Horton, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of upright

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“Upstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upstanding. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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