upright

1 of 3

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: perpendicular, vertical

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

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

Adjective

• all right
• decent
• ethical
• good
• honest
• honorable
• just
• moral
• nice
• right
• right-minded
• righteous
• straight
• true
• virtuous

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

The Kiosks are ‘upright cabinets with two video displays, a bill acceptor and a printer.’ . . . —Daniel Wallach, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Introduced by the Southern Living Plant Collection, Golden Oakland® Holly maintains an upright, pyramidal form with little pruning, making this showstopper a breeze to maintain. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Jordan Neely’s father lifted his head and sat upright in his seat; an almost-smile crept across his face. —Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Speaking of not backing down, Claire is finally standing upright and doing her best to get back to normal life. —Lincee Ray, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024

Noun

New kicker Matthew Wright lifted the Kansas City Chiefs to a 19-17 victory over the Chargers on Sunday night with a 31-yard field goal that miraculously ricocheted through the uprights. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Bates split the uprights as the final seconds ticked off the clock. —Chantz Martin, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upright

• sit bolt upright
• upright piano

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