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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 Using the precision wand, hold the brush upright to define the lips and point it down to fill them in. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025 Plant the onion seedlings approximately ½ inch deep so that the forming bulbs and roots are barely covered with soil, and lightly tamp down the soil to keep the onion seedlings upright. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2025 Authorities said one of the trees lying on the ground suddenly sprang back to an upright position and trapped Ackerman under the base of the tree. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025 The gale had grown so strong that the horses and Jigsaw staff struggled to stay upright, and with limited trailers, only four horses could be evacuated at a time. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for upright 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright
Adjective
  • Their legacy and honorable service to our Nation will forever remain.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
  • This only further confirmed to me that Justin and Wayfarer are exceedingly honorable and highly ethical.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Open, honest communication with your healthcare team is one of the best ways to prepare for what lies ahead and improve your quality of life.
    Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
  • These orders, including the most recent one, issued February 5, honor honest scientific inquiry and reverse the trend of activists distorting the scientific picture.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Established in 1940, the ski area — with two main chairlifts, 500 acres and a 1,000-foot vertical drop — gets 500 inches of snow on average annually.
    Elaine Glusac, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Imagine a soaring cathedral reaching towards a vast skylight but re-imagined with layers of architectural rings that gradually ascend, creating a dizzying illusion of immense vertical distance and distorted perspective.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Part of the consideration for Justice Department lawyers is whether simply signing the document would mean risking their bar license, since major ethical objections have already been made to dropping the case.
    Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Adams appeared on Fox and Friends Friday morning with Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, who appeared to talk about an agreement, which the prosecutors in New York flagged as an enormous legal and ethical problem.
    Carrie Johnson, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • During those two seasons with the Brewers, Urias hit .244 with 20 homers and a respectable .766 OPS in 269 games.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In reality, Amad’s absence means ambitions to finish the campaign strongly and climb to a slightly more respectable position are remote.
    Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The announcements of performances from The Backstreet Boys and Bad Bunny also led to immediate standing ovations.
    Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Yet All received rapturous standing ovations on Thursday, Feb. 13, when the musical opened at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City after a run last spring at La Jolla Playhouse.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Give your sink a nice bubble bath by stopping the drain and filling the basin along with a tablet.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Elizabeth had started working and spent some of her wages on nice outfits.
    Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But conservatives like Trump have used those words to try to fool us into believing that one of the most famous and righteous Black men in this nation’s history was against affirmative action and anything that has to do with diversity, equity and inclusion.
    Leonard Greene, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
  • My parents wouldn’t have survived without the help of some righteous Poles.
    Martin Kimel, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near upright

Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

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