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

Hosta’s spreading habit complements the elegant, upright shape of hydrangeas. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026

With upright and spreading forms available, rosemary can be used in a variety of garden settings, from containers to rock gardens. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026

The cast’s sole survivor is Jessica Hecht, who pours miraculous warmth and complexity into her faintly insulting role as Colleen, the head teller, a morally upright spinster goosed by her flirtation with Sonny and the spotlight. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026

Otherwise, the speaker sits upright on four small rubber feet at the base. —Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026