upright

1 of 3

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: perpendicular, vertical

put the car's seat in the upright position

b

: erect in carriage or posture

c

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

upright freezer

2

: marked by strong moral rectitude

an upright citizen

uprightly adverb

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 3

adverb

: vertically upward : in an upright position

stood upright

upright

3 of 3

noun

1

: the state of being upright : perpendicular

a pillar out of upright

2

: something that stands upright

especially : a football goalpost

—usually used in plural

3

: upright piano

Synonyms of upright

Adjective

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• nice
• true
• good
• decent
• moral

Choose the Right Synonym for upright

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable 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

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

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

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

Examples of upright in a Sentence

Adjective

Put your seat back in the upright position.

The container should be kept upright to prevent leaks.

Noun

The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Does a tree in your yard have stems growing upright at the base or elsewhere on its trunk? — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026

Experts say that the sculpture is stylistically hybrid, with an upright stance and long hair that were current in the 6th century BCE and a treatment of the face and hands that reflects trends in the first half of the 5th century BCE. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Start by sitting upright in the chair with the feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart, with arms crossed over the chest. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Except…just not while lying on the couch, or sitting upright on a plane, or even driving a car for fear of being poked. — Allure Editors, Allure, 31 July 2026

Noun

This Qi2 wireless charger has a detachable stand to keep your Pixel 10 series phone upright and visible while charging, and supports up to 25W of power for fast charging. — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 5 Aug. 2026

Keeping your torso upright, step your right foot forward 1-2 feet. — Danielle Zickl, Health, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1590, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upright

• sit bolt upright
• upright piano

Rhymes for upright

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

upright

1 of 2 adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: vertical entry 1 sense 2

an upright posture

b

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

2

: living by high moral standards : honorable

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 2 noun

1

: an upright or vertical position

2

: something upright