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

Bill, up until this point, is an upstanding member of society. —Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2024

In the spirit of holiday giving, the team invites their community to nominate and vote for upstanding charitable organizations that support mothers. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

The scene is played for comedy, of course, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate that the upstanding Rick is still capable of succumbing to an ethical lapse. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

But perhaps the better question is, how did a qualified, competent, upstanding candidate like Vice President Kamala Harris lose to such a vile person as Donald Trump? —S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing upstanding

• be upstanding

Kids Definition

upstanding

adjective

up·​stand·​ing ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ 

ˈəp-ˌstan-

1

: vertical entry 1 sense 2

2

: honest entry 1 sense 3