Definition of uprightnext
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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 Equipped with five sockets and two USB ports, this power strip, enclosed in metal with a rubber base, can sit upright on the floor or desktop and offers eight feet of extension from your wall outlet. Kelsey Borovinsky, Architectural Digest, 9 Feb. 2026 Stand hip-width apart and engage your core while keeping your chest upright. Jakob Roze, Health, 5 Feb. 2026 Nat has been resurrected as both her recognizable self, a stoic beauty dressed David Byrne-style with shoulder pads as wide as a refrigerator, and in appliance form as her own upright vacuum — another one — whose plastic shell is her exact shade of burgundy hair. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Frequent travelers know that being able to sleep comfortably upright feels wildly luxurious at 30,000 feet. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright
Adjective
  • Though the art that first spoke to me was honest and honorable depictions of Black life, I have since been inspired, gutted and changed by artists from all walks of life.
    Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson called LaMalfa an honorable public servant and recounted the two working together to deliver help for wildfire victims.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • But these songs are also honest, sometimes despite themselves, about the feelings of impotence associated with watching history play out on a screen.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
  • At least Mamdani was honest and campaigned as a socialist.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Built for a client focused on results rather than polish by Nick Maselli, the robot—named Sourccey—features a cylindrical, mobile body with a domed top, two articulated arms, and a central vertical lift for handling garments.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Ten thousand cattails were used to create thin vertical rods, which were affixed to the perimeter of an octagonal skylight, creating a chapel with gently undulating walls.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Karp’s defense of Epstein raises ethical and professional questions.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The party is attempting to establish itself as the responsible anchor of a fragile coalition — a role that demands ethical clarity, internal coherence, and strategic restraint.
    Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Rice finished with a respectable 104 wRC+ and seven home runs in 106 at-bats against lefties in 2025.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Cargo space is respectable for the class, and the hatch configuration is easier to live with day-to-day than a trunk-only sedan.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The crowd in the stadium let their emotions pour out as well, giving him a standing ovation.
    Ciara Moran, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The new president got a standing ovation.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The potluck is chaotic but really nice.
    R29 Team, Refinery29, 11 Feb. 2026
  • And if there is a next step, that would be nice.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Predictably, other longevity bros have pounced on one of their own—but there’s a particularly righteous rage among health care professionals, who say that there have been red flags about Attia’s trustworthiness all along.
    Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
  • His paranoia, too self protective and self righteous, alienates him from himself.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

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