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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of upright But all of those fail-safes are slower and less reliable than the vestibular reflexes that normally keep the eyes, head and body upright and steady. Sushma Subramanian, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025 Not only that, balance is a priority because without it, humans wouldn’t be able to sustain an upright position, moving about easily. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 The harness is designed to put the restrained person in an upright and seated position. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025 The vacuum even converts from an upright model into a handheld that makes jobs like removing pet hair from furniture, crumbs from car seats, and more so much easier. Clara McMahon, People.com, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for upright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright
Adjective
  • Michael Roth, the president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, has taken the harder and more honorable route.
    John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • Our leadership spends its time implying anyone with origins south of our border is less than honorable and must be deported regardless of their contributions, just to feel powerful.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Be honest about systems that are no longer serving their purpose.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The production noted how the work has continued to resonate with readers over the past decade, for its honest depiction of trauma recovery and the power of self-empowerment and love.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • While some programs featuring influencers and vertical excerpts of TV shows and movies are covered by union agreements, other projects don’t have those protections.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
  • If your small space is flanked by strong vertical fences or walls, the easiest solution is to cover the surface with plants.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Judges must prepare to spot obvious AI red flags Until courts figure out how to navigate AI—a process that may look different from court to court—Browning advocates for more education and ethical guidance for judges to steer their use and attitudes about AI.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025
  • Similarly, the ethical OM Project line from 1997 and 1998 was forward-looking.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, other open-wheel drivers like Montoya have been very respectable but not remarkable.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Walker’s pass rush grade of 65.5 ranked a respectable 53rd and his run defense grade of 67.7 was 82nd.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The new Champion Golfer of the Year gave another example of his extraordinary superiority in men's professional golf, earning standing ovations from the crowd at Royal Portrush.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • Iran boasts a large standing force but also relies on proxies and undercover operations that have been severely disabled in recent months by U.S. and Israeli actions.
    Christopher Bodeen, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.
    Shalwah Evans, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • The units also vary in shape: the cube is nice for nightstands, while the wider grand size works well on large dressers.
    Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The character is often accused of being overpowered, too righteous and unrelatable to a modern audience.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • There’s enough genre elements in this worst-case-scenario parable, from righteous kills to gory sieges to tense cat-and-mouse games, to satisfy folks who just want a few pleasurably cheap thrills.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

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