upright

1 of 3

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt How to pronounce upright (audio)
1
b
: erect in carriage or posture
c
: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular
upright freezer
2
: marked by strong moral rectitude
an upright citizen
uprightly adverb
uprightness noun

upright

2 of 3

adverb

: vertically upward : in an upright position

upright

3 of 3

noun

1
: the state of being upright : perpendicular
a pillar out of upright
2
: something that stands upright
especially : a football goalpost
usually used in plural
3
Choose the Right Synonym for upright

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable 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

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

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

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

Examples of upright in a Sentence

Adjective Put your seat back in the upright position. The container should be kept upright to prevent leaks. Noun The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The most common form, cervical dystonia, affects the neck, causing wobbling or worse, the inability to hold the head upright. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025 Featured on the album are violinist and violist Macie Stewart, cellist Ben Whiteley, upright bassist Nick Macri, and woodwinds player Hunter Diamond. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
But that required him to sleep upright. Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The group combined for 60 starts, helped generate 202 rushing yards per game and mostly kept Allar upright last season. Travis Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
The Chargers’ pass protection also deserves a lot of credit for keeping Herbert upright for most of the game and giving their quarterback time. Jesse Newell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025 With a newfound momentum, Catlin took matters into his own hands, bringing a recovered fumble to Timberview’s 13-yard line; the Raiders couldn’t capitalize, settling for a 25-yard field goal attempt that went off the right upright. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upright

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upright was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upright. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

upright

1 of 2 adjective
up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt How to pronounce upright (audio)
1
a
: vertical entry 1 sense 2
an upright posture
b
: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular
2
: living by high moral standards : honorable
uprightness noun

upright

2 of 2 noun
1
: an upright or vertical position
2
: something upright

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

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