1
2
3

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

Examples 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 gyroscope steadies the wearer’s hand by countering the motion, like a spinning top trying to keep upright. Chris Stokel-Walker, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 The dual zipper design opens up the main compartment that is outfitted with additional elastic straps and pockets to hold bottles upright. Teddy Minford, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2024 Still hauling out a heavy upright vacuum to clean everyday messes and dust buildup? Isabel Garcia, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Plus, their large, upright mature size is a nice complement to the shorter stature of the Japanese maple. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for upright 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upright
Adjective
  • Would Adams have preferred a deeply dishonorable man in the White House over an honorable woman?
    Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Petty didn’t back down and MCA changed their plans, enshrining his reputation as an honorable guy who cared more about his fans than his own bottom line.
    Al Shipley, SPIN, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This leads to an honest and bracing conversation about the nature of addiction.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Healthy relationships, open or closed, involve honest communication.
    Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The vertical stitching looks clean and elegant, and is meant to prevent wrinkles.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 18 Nov. 2024
  • According to one rule-of-thumb, men with a vertical greater than 20 inches and women with a vertical greater than 14 inches are likely to be predominantly fast-twitch.
    Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Second, most congressional Republicans have abandoned ethical norms.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The Supreme Court’s deference to FDR during World War II resulted in unjustifiable ethical breaches, but its new code of conduct has not resolved the question of when a justice should be disqualified from a case.
    Jed S. Rakoff, The New York Review of Books, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • While cinephiles shudder to learn the opinions of their favorite French actors, Irish stars are assumed to have respectable politics by default.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Reviewer Mark Knapp rated a very similar Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 exceptionally well, noting its premium build quality and respectable performance for the price.
    K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This prompted a standing ovation and choruses of pro-Trump chants.
    Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
  • In the biopic, Jolie, 49, transforms into the late opera singer Maria Callas, and prior to Sunday’s carpet, the mom of six was riding high from Maria garnering strong reviews as well as earning standing ovations at the Venice Film Festival, where Jolie cried, and the Telluride Film Festival.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 29 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • The Panthers defense should provide a nice opportunity for a big game.
    Andy Scholes, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Build your authority on LinkedIn: strategies from leading coaches Share client transformations with meaning Stories are nice, but including client wins inspires action.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Cliffhangers come every 10 minutes until the final big reveal, which offers a surprisingly reassuring vision of an election leading to a righteous and moral outcome.
    Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
  • This is McQueen’s method: a passage of lyrical beauty, a chaser of righteous struggle.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near upright

Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upright. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!