upstanding

adjective

up·​stand·​ing ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ 

ˈəp-ˌstan-

1

: erect, upright

2

: marked by integrity

an upstanding businessman

upstandingness noun

Synonyms of upstanding

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• respectable
• noble

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

To truly even the playing field, upstanding attorneys should support cracking down on fraud and profiteering — and ending the exploitation of our most vulnerable. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026

The Methods Used in High-End Clinics A good example of an upstanding Turkish medical establishment is the Asli Tarcan Clinic, which has thousands of positive online reviews. —Wyles Daniel, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026

To reclaim her reputation as an upstanding public official, Kilkelly had to hire two trial law firms and a third to argue the case before the appellate court. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

And the vast majority of the Chicago coyote population consists of upstanding citizen animals. —Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026

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