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 But a few simple habits can help keep your plants hydrated, upright, and producing beautiful blooms for longer. — The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026 The good guys protecting us from people who want to work and live here will continue their morally upright quest by electrocuting their foes into submission. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026 Thanks to strong multi-surface suction, this upright vacuum can go right from the living room carpet to the kitchen without missing a beat (or a crumb). — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026 Key Takeaways Lymphatic walking is similar to regular walking but adds deep belly breathing, larger arm swings, and upright posture to help move lymph fluid. — Sukhman Rekhi, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright

Adjective

Cornerback Juice Clarke, who started eight games last season and also was an honorable-mention selection, and safety Mac Resetich are back for their senior seasons.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Ingrid is an honorable and moral friend who facilitates her death while staying in a neighboring room.

— Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

To be honest, that's probably the best-case scenario for the casual fans that this sort of fight draws.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Its quincunx to Saturn in your 2nd House of Resources may ask you to be honest about time, money, energy, or self-worth.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

The announcement is the latest collaboration between Disney and Webtoon, which has already brought over 20 fan-favorite comics to Webtoon’s vertical-scroll format, available in a dedicated Disney section of the English-language Webtoon app.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
The company plans to lean more on creators with its new Verts vertical video feed on Disney+, a new feature designed to increase engagement.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of vertical

Adjective

Hopefully the quarterback Miami guaranteed $45 million over the next two seasons to as a free agent will blossom into a respectable, if not top shelf NFL starter in time.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
So far, the show has a very respectable 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, though that could move either direction once the series is out for the masses.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 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

New York has a nice blend of skill and compete in a system that should produce reliable NHL talent but still has a lot of work ahead in this next rebuild.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
As for the rest of the space, the open-concept kitchen’s peninsula and granite countertops are a nice touch, as is the fact that the bedroom is big enough for a king-size mattress and a home office.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 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

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 22 Aug. 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

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes