Synonyms of upright

upright

adjective

ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

as in honorable

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue

an honest and upright people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• nice
• true
• good
• decent
• moral
• righteous
• straight
• virtuous
• noble
• right
• worthy
• all right
• respected
• proper
• just
• correct
• right-minded
• decorous
• principled
• pure
• exemplary
• legitimate
• innocent
• seemly
• clean
• creditable
• blameless
• reputable
• commendable
• incorruptible
• guiltless
• high-minded
• esteemed
• upstanding
• irreproachable
• inoffensive
• immaculate
• unobjectionable
• uncorrupted
• moralistic
• angelic
• spotless
• unerring
• scrupulous
• law-abiding
• sanctimonious
• incorrupt
• lily-white
• self-righteous
• menschy
• pharisaical
• rectitudinous
• goody-goody

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• wicked
• wrong
• sinful
• dishonest
• bad
• improper
• immoral
• dishonorable
• unrighteous
• indecent
• unethical
• corrupt
• incorrect
• degenerate
• depraved
• unbecoming
• unseemly
• dissolute
• perverted
• indecorous
• naughty
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• debased
• low
• debauched
• base
• vicious
• villainous
• infamous
• vile
• atrocious
• libertine
• reprobate
• evil-minded
• objectionable
• offensive
• mean
• blameworthy
• fallen
• iniquitous
• erring
• errant
• nefarious

2

as in honest

following the accepted rules of moral conduct

informing the clerk that he had just given me back too much in change was the only upright thing to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• respectable
• righteous
• noble
• decent
• principled
• upstanding
• stand-up
• just
• good
• blameless
• nice
• conscientious
• proper
• guiltless
• unassailable
• unimpeachable
• moral
• irreproachable
• virtuous
• chivalrous
• respected
• classy
• polite
• incorruptible
• reputable
• uncorrupted
• scrupulous
• decorous
• high-minded
• right-minded
• fair
• seemly
• menschy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• base
• unworthy
• unjust
• dishonest
• ignoble
• unprincipled
• crooked
• criminal
• dishonorable
• unrighteous
• evil
• unethical
• corrupt
• sinful
• bad
• immoral
• rotten
• reprehensible
• wicked
• iniquitous
• roguish
• mean
• nefarious
• unscrupulous
• unfair
• vile
• rascally
• wretched
• villainous
• culpable
• loose
• knavish
• blackguardly
• blameworthy
• blamable
• degenerate
• censurable
• depraved
• scoundrelly
• disreputable
• dissolute
• perverted
• perverse
• profligate
• venal
• shameful
• disgraceful
• debased
• degraded
• libertine
• debauched
• decadent
• demoralized
• dissipated
• reprobate

3

as in vertical

rising straight up

only one pillar of the ruined temple remained upright

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vertical
• standing
• erect
• perpendicular
• plumb
• lifted
• raised
• upstanding
• stand-up
• upraised
• elevated
• upended
• freestanding
• stand-alone
• semierect

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flat
• recumbent
• supine
• prostrate
• hanging
• diagonal
• slanted
• slant
• sagging
• slanting
• slanty

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective upright differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of upright are conscientious, honest, honorable, just, and scrupulous. While all these words 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

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of upright?

Both 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

When might honest be a better fit than upright?

In some situations, the words honest and upright are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When can honorable be used instead of upright?

The synonyms honorable and upright are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When is just a more appropriate choice than upright?

While in some cases nearly identical to upright, just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of upright

Investigators determined that Johnson died in a freak accident, stuck, unable to breathe, while trying to retrieve a shoe that fell inside the upright mat. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

The abdominal muscles in bipeds are used to stabilize the body for upright mobility — sitting up, bending, etc. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026

Featuring an industry-first floating playback design, this speaker stays upright and sound-forward even in waves. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026

The plants are soft and fuzzy, and their arching stems bear clusters of upright flowers in fall when other shade plants have finished blooming. —Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026