upright

1 of 4

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: perpendicular, vertical

put the car's seat in the upright position

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 4

adverb

: vertically upward : in an upright position

stood upright

upright

3 of 4

noun (1)

1

: the state of being upright : perpendicular

a pillar out of upright

2

: something that stands upright

especially : a football goalpost

—usually plural

3

: upright piano

uprightness

4 of 4

noun (2)

up·​right·​ness

: the state or quality of being upright

Synonyms of upright

Adjective

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• nice
• true
• good
• decent
• moral

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 (1)

The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Curran, 41, has the upright posture of someone who has survived a lot of theater training and a game approach to this adventure. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026

Today, this Chilean territory is essentially an open-air archaeological museum, with many of its enigmatic moai (representations of Polynesian ancestors) returned to their upright positions following seven decades of restoration. — Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Even just sitting upright set off the teen’s severe dizziness, so Hershberg modified a wheelchair to partially recline. — Nicole Clark, Time, 8 Nov. 2026

It can be used upright or horizontally, with rubber pads on one side for horizontal use. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026

Noun

The kick had enough distance but sailed just outside the right upright. — Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

The Saints led 9-6 after Charlie Smyth — who made three of four field goal attempts after being elevated from the practice squad this week — split the uprights from 48 yards. — ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

1590, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upright

• sit bolt upright
• upright piano

Rhymes for upright

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

upright

1 of 2 adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

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