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 The master bedroom is situated downstairs, so has ample headroom to stand upright. — Adam Williams july 06, New Atlas, 6 July 2026 Regularly pulling out a clunky upright vacuum cleaner to tidy up floor mats and car seats is just unrealistic. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 How Rucking Improves Posture The mechanics are straightforward adding weight to your back forces the muscles that keep you upright to wake up and do their job. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 The plane, a Kodiak 100, was turned upright in the water and towed back to the dock, according to the FDNY. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for upright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright

Adjective

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
And Florida passed only because one player made the honorable decision.

— David Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
County officials have repeatedly warned that fraudulent claims take money away from public services and shift the tax burden to honest taxpayers.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Thanks to this vertical ecosystem, stretching from the Apple Watch through iPhone and iPad to the Mac, Apple’s retail pricing has more flexibility than a traditional smartphone manufacturer.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Bradley Barcola provides a vertical threat with his speed while Olise is the creator that knits everything together.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of vertical

Adjective

Thrive Market is an online, members-only marketplace that allows members to choose their favorite items from more than 5,000 products sourced from organic, sustainable and ethical brands.

— Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The nation's economy depends heavily on ethical diamond exports.

— Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
But the Celtics’ latest deal for George makes the Clippers original deal for George a lot more respectable.

— Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

In an April assessment, Control Risks already treated it as a standing planning assumption, which reprices redundancy, war-risk insurance and evacuation planning rather than compliance programmes.

— Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Audience members then gave the star a standing ovation.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026

Definition of standing

Adjective

Quince This matching set feels especially nice on warm nights, thanks to its naturally cooling bamboo viscose material.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Worth checking out The Nest Fragrances Reed Diffuser will keep your bathroom smelling nice with 21 lush scents, including lemon and mint, apricot tea, ginger and vanilla bean, ocean mist and sea salt, grapefruit and more.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 6 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

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“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of upright

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