upstanding

adjective

up·​stand·​ing ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ 

ˈəp-ˌstan-

1

: erect, upright

2

: marked by integrity

an upstanding businessman

upstandingness noun

Synonyms

• decent
• ethical
• honest
• honorable
• just
• noble
• principled
• respectable
• righteous
• stand-up
• upright

Examples of upstanding in a Sentence

upstanding members of the community

a fine, upstanding woman who deserves to be nominated to the state's highest court

Recent Examples on the Web

Well, if not the show, then at least all the people in it, all the people surrounding it, the fine, upstanding barbers of Charleston, and just the whole culture of reality television. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025

Americans’ faith in their first president, the upstanding George Washington, helped convince them that all would end well and their Constitution would be sufficient to protect the republic. —Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025

The vigilante is acting as any upstanding citizen should. —Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025

So far several upstanding career Department of Justice prosecutors in New York and Washington have resigned in protest. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing upstanding

• be upstanding

Rhymes for upstanding

• commanding
• demanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• outstanding
• remanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing

Kids Definition

upstanding

adjective

up·​stand·​ing ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ 

ˈəp-ˌstan-

1

: vertical entry 1 sense 2

2

: honest entry 1 sense 3