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

Relevance

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 These fast, upright growers can grow five feet tall, a good size for the back of the border. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 July 2026 Reinforce the corners and edges, since they are most commonly damaged, and try to keep the item upright so the weight is properly distributed. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026 For the final punchline, Bounou shuffled right, stood upright, and palmed away Crysencio Summerville’s effort. — Stuart James, New York Times, 7 July 2026 The master bedroom is situated downstairs, so has ample headroom to stand upright. — Adam Williams july 06, New Atlas, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for upright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright

Adjective

Someone who lost their way despite their initial, honorable intentions.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Manliness is a touchy subject these days, but there was a time when honorable combat was respected above the mere running of one’s mouth.

— Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

Designed with a comfortable pull-on waistband that won’t dig in and flattering vertical stripes that visually elongate your legs, these pants are an easy wardrobe win—especially at the current $51 price tag.

— Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
The announcement coincided with the first concrete pour at Micron’s semiconductor campus in Clay, New York, marking the start of vertical construction.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Definition of vertical

Adjective

Performance-enhancing uses also raise ethical considerations.

— Elaine Yu, CNBC, 11 July 2026
While guidelines provide oversight on the vetting, selection and usage of AI tools, governance provides the structural oversight that keeps AI aligned with business objectives, ethical standards and regulatory requirements.

— Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

The fans gave it, then gave it again, this time in the form of a standing ovation after Djokovic won the tiebreak and stood at Centre Court, his arms stretched wide.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 7 July 2026
An unimaginable weight rested on his shoulders when Alfonzo stepped into the batter’s box to a standing ovation.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of standing

Adjective

There’s a difference between a need-to-have and a nice-to-have, though, and both Murgio and Erman Ozguven agree there are good reasons to evacuate further than just a few miles inland.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
On nice days, customers can sit on the rooftop among the outdoor sculpture garden and their meals will be brought to their table.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

Still, what an enviable thing to toil in a righteous cause, and to act with such certainty that humane education fosters freedom.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Margo Price is celebrating July 4 weekend in typically righteous fashion, surprise releasing a protest album—or mixtape, per a press release—comprising a series of covers and a few originals.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026

Definition of righteous

Browse Nearby Words

uprears

upright

uprightness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of upright

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bibelot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes