upright

adjective

up·right | \ ˈəp-ˌrīt

Definition of upright

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : perpendicular, vertical

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

upright

adverb

Definition of upright (Entry 2 of 3)

: vertically upward : in an upright position

upright

noun

Definition of upright (Entry 3 of 3)

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 : upright piano

Other Words from upright Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about upright

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Choose the Right Synonym for upright

Adjective

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

Adjective

upright, honest, and just mean having or showing a great concern for what is right. upright means having high moral standards in all areas of life. She's an upright person and an example to us all. honest means dealing with others in a fair and truthful way. He is an honest merchant who wouldn't cheat anyone. just is used when a person's fairness comes from both conscious choice and habit. The principal is just to all students.

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: Adjective

On the day of the launch, the gantry would slide away on rails, leaving the upright rocket on its launch pad. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "Can the U.S. Save Alcantara, Brazil’s Cursed Spaceport?," 20 Mar. 2019 As often seems to be the case, their tray tables are not in a locked and upright position. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Aerospace Investigators in Chief," 12 Mar. 2019 Some tall varieties might need staked to keep them upright. — Arricca Sansone, Country Living, "How to Grow Carnations," 1 Aug. 2018 To keep plants upright and fruit clean and intact, stalk plants with bamboo poles. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The Secret to Growing the Most Flavorful Eggplants," 27 July 2018 The expectant mom detailed signing up for a beginner's meditation class, which includes learning to meditate twice a day for 20 minutes each, saying a mantra, and sitting upright with your eyes closed. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Pippa Middleton Sports Polka Dots and Talks Her Final Month of Pregnancy," 10 Oct. 2018 For another, the vertical design keeps bottles upright and contained, but the wide open top makes for easy accessibility. — Maria Cassano, Allure, "The 15 Best Shower Organizers You Can Get Online Right Now," 5 Aug. 2018 Grodus hoped — maybe even prayed — her teammates would keep her upright. — Detroit Free Press, "Ex-Detroit Demolition player was a punishing blocker. Now she's a nun," 14 June 2018 In this positioning, your shoulders should be directly above your hips and your chest should be upright. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "How Adding a Resistance Band to Reverse Lunges Can Help Perfect Your Form," 6 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Another image shows an International Harvester tractor still upright in the aircraft hangar. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Explorers Discover the Wreck of the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet, Sunk in World War II," 12 Feb. 2019 The user sits upright in the tub for a deep soak (like a hot tub) and can watch TV or have a beverage while soaking. — Ed Del Grande, The Seattle Times, "Explore the depths of comfort with a cube tub," 19 Feb. 2019 The move takes you from lying on the floor to standing upright, all while holding a kettlebell above your head. — Amy Marturana, SELF, "How to Do a Turkish Get-up," 8 Feb. 2019 Suddenly, my guide sat bolt upright and pointed downstream. — Austin Merrill, WSJ, "The Amazon: The Heart of the World," 3 Dec. 2018 Adding a set of wheels to the bottom of your shoes, which could start and stop unpredictably, may make staying upright a challenge. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Forget VR treadmills—Google patents motorized, omnidirectional VR sneakers," 19 Nov. 2018 Cages Cylindrical or square wire cages keep tomatoes upright without the need for tying the stems. — Doug Hall, Good Housekeeping, "The 4 Best Ways to Support Your Tomato Plants," 19 July 2018 Like most vertical rockets, the New Shepard is designed to take off upright from a launchpad at Blue Origin’s facilities in West Texas. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "Blue Origin will push its rocket ‘to its limits’ with high-altitude emergency abort test today," 18 July 2018 Finally—finally—the Colts decided to truly invest in an offensive line that can keep Andrew Luck upright. — Tim Rohan, SI.com, "AFC South Offseason Report Cards: Jaguars Get Stronger, Titans Get Defensive, Texans Need Health and Colts Need Luck," 12 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This model might be preferable if the thought of resting your new iPhone upright against a charging pad without having anything to secure it in place isn’t to your liking. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "Belkin’s Boostup wireless dock can charge three Apple devices at once," 24 Sep. 2018 Store your fitted sheet upright, in a storage container or linen closet, alongside your other bedding. — Heather Finn, Good Housekeeping, "Here's Exactly How to Fold a Fitted Sheet, According to Marie Kondo," 8 Feb. 2019 This upright, fast-grower makes a neat, narrow hedge or accent with its columnar shape. — Arricca Sansone, Country Living, "20 Best Boxwood Shrubs to Plant in Your Garden," 14 Feb. 2019 Even during mid-corner panic stops on wet cobblestones, the system will keep a rider upright. — Nick Goddard, Popular Mechanics, "The Ducati Scrambler Icon Bike Just Got a Little Sweeter To Ride," 25 Sep. 2018 Invert to slip out pudding, then set upright on a plate. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Savory Bread Pudding," 16 Aug. 2018 Photos from the scene showed the plane upright, but on its belly. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "Deadly California plane crash caught on video, 29-year-old victim identified," 6 Aug. 2018 Dattner says the sanded redwood uprights are better to look at and to touch than steel, and the design varies the spacing of the rungs so that small children can more easily climb below, but only as far as safety allows. — Alexandra Lange, Curbed, "How not to cheat children: Let them build their own playgrounds," 18 July 2018 The kick sailed through the uprights, and the Rams players poured onto the field in celebration as an eerily silent crowd looked on with grief and anger. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Rams Rally to Claim Super Bowl Spot," 20 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'upright.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.