UPRIGHT Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

upright

adjective

ˈəp-ˌrīt

Definition of upright

as in honorable

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue an honest and upright people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vertical

rising straight up only one pillar of the ruined temple remained upright

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Still hauling out a heavy upright vacuum for everyday cleaning? — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 Softly bend your knees, while still remaining tall and upright. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Also remove any vigorous upright shoots, called watersprouts, that may have emerged from the scaffold branches. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026 Miller also runs a little upright and seems stiff, but shows decent vision. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright

Adjective

That work is, in my opinion, as honorable as being a midwife or the kind of doula who helps deliver babies.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
My time in the ministry was filled with hundreds of friendships of men and women of all faiths who were faith-filled and honorable.

— Chick Pritchard, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

Attracting and training game officials, to be honest, isn’t the job of the CIF office but of the various regional officials associations that assign them.

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
Set in 2009, the film follows two TV reporters forced into a dirty election campaign for a pro-Russian candidate who struggle to stay honest with their work and the people.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

For Chinese patients – at least those who can afford the product – the question is less ethical than existential.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Complex international maritime law, competing ownership claims, ethical infighting among academics about how best to approach the undersea historical site, and the immense technical and fiscal costs of recovery have kept its bounty on the sea floor.

— Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

Insider tip Do what respectable hockey writers do and stay at the Marriott Château Champlain.

— Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

The state has also taken corrective action on debt and paid down $10 billion in long standing pension debt, which had accumulated for several decades dating back to the 1940’s.

— Kevin McNabola, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Broadway producers traditionally gauge audience reaction by warm applause at the end of Act 1 or a standing ovation during curtain call.

— William Earl, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of standing

Adjective

Today’s recipe Chef David Tanis’ recipe for Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad With Bitter Lettuces has a nice combination of sweet and bitter.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Eldridge made a nice play to catch that ball, make a throw and get it out.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

Now, may the righteous stand taken against FIFA by the powerful European federation instigate the real change that’s been much too long overdue.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Graham saw Israel’s violence, unlike the violence committed by America’s adversaries, as inherently righteous.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026

Definition of righteous

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uprears

upright

uprightness

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“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of upright

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