upstanding

adjective

up·​stand·​ing ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ 

ˈəp-ˌstan-

1

: erect, upright

2

: marked by integrity

an upstanding businessman

upstandingness noun

Synonyms

• decent
• ethical
• honest
• honorable
• just
• noble
• principled
• respectable
• righteous
• stand-up
• upright

Examples of upstanding in a Sentence

upstanding members of the community

a fine, upstanding woman who deserves to be nominated to the state's highest court

Recent Examples on the Web

Tim Ratliff goes from upstanding businessman and dad to raging benzo addict over the course of approximately six days. —Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025

While the list was not official university policy, the message was clear: To be an upstanding Stanford citizen, these lines ought not be crossed. —Suzanne Nossel, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2025

Our objective is to cultivate a movement that’s capable of persuading as many Americans as possible to support sane, rational, and morally upstanding policy. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025

Well, if not the show, then at least all the people in it, all the people surrounding it, the fine, upstanding barbers of Charleston, and just the whole culture of reality television. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing upstanding

• be upstanding

Rhymes for upstanding

• commanding
• demanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• outstanding
• remanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing

Kids Definition

upstanding

adjective

up·​stand·​ing ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ 

ˈəp-ˌstan-

1

: vertical entry 1 sense 2

2

: honest entry 1 sense 3