Upright — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb noun /ˈəp-ˌrīt/ up·right

Meaning & Definition of Upright

Upright (adjective)

  1. perpendicular, vertical
  2. erect in carriage or posture
  3. having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

Upright (adverb)

  1. vertically upward, in an upright position

Upright (noun)

  1. the state of being upright, perpendicular
  2. something that stands upright; especially, a football goalpost —usually used in plural
  3. upright piano

Upright (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue

    "an honest and upright people"

    similar: all right, decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice, right, right-minded, righteous, straight, true, virtuous
    related: correct, decorous, proper, seemly, high-minded, noble, principled, commendable, creditable, exemplary, legitimate, esteemed, law-abiding, menschy, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy, blameless, clean, guiltless, immaculate, incorrupt, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, unobjectionable, angelic, lily-white, pure, scrupulous, spotless, uncorrupted, unerring, goody-goody, moralistic, pharisaical, rectitudinous, sanctimonious, self-righteous
    opposite: bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong
    near: improper, incorrect, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, perverted, reprobate, unprincipled, unscrupulous, atrocious, infamous, villainous, base, low, mean, vicious, vile, blameworthy, objectionable, offensive, iniquitous, nefarious, errant, erring, fallen

  2. following the accepted rules of moral conduct

    "informing the clerk that he had just given me back too much in change was the only upright thing to do"

    similar: decent, ethical, honest, honorable, just, noble, principled, respectable, righteous, stand-up, upstanding
    related: blameless, guiltless, irreproachable, unassailable, unimpeachable, chivalrous, classy, high-minded, menschy, right-minded, conscientious, fair, good, incorruptible, moral, reputable, respected, scrupulous, uncorrupted, virtuous, decorous, nice, polite, proper, seemly
    opposite: base, dishonest, dishonorable, ignoble, low, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unrighteous, unworthy
    near: bad, blackguardly, corrupt, criminal, crooked, evil, immoral, iniquitous, knavish, mean, nefarious, rascally, reprehensible, roguish, rotten, scoundrelly, sinful, unfair, unscrupulous, vile, villainous, wicked, wretched, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, culpable, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, disgraceful, disreputable, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, profligate, reprobate, shameful, venal

  3. rising straight up

    "only one pillar of the ruined temple remained upright"

    similar: erect, perpendicular, plumb, raised, stand-up, standing, upstanding, vertical
    related: elevated, lifted, upended, upraised, semierect, freestanding, stand-alone
    opposite: flat, recumbent
    near: prostrate, supine, diagonal, hanging, sagging, slant, slanted, slanting, slanty

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Upright

The most common words with a similar meaning to Upright:

all right, decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice, right, right-minded, righteous, straight, true, virtuous, noble, principled, respectable, stand-up, upstanding, erect, perpendicular, plumb, raised, standing, vertical

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Upright

Words with the opposite meaning of Upright:

bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong, base, ignoble, low, unjust, unprincipled, unworthy, flat, recumbent

Related Words for Upright

correct, decorous, proper, seemly, high-minded, commendable, creditable, exemplary, legitimate, esteemed, law-abiding, menschy, reputable, respected, worthy, blameless, clean, guiltless, immaculate, incorrupt, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, unobjectionable, angelic, lily-white, pure, scrupulous, spotless

Near Antonyms of Upright

improper, incorrect, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, perverted, reprobate, unscrupulous, atrocious, infamous, villainous, mean, vicious, vile, blameworthy, objectionable, offensive, iniquitous, nefarious, errant, erring, fallen

Word Forms of Upright

Derived words: uprightly (adverb), uprightness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Upright

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Upright

upright piano, sit bolt upright

Frequently Asked Questions about Upright

What does "Upright" mean?

"Upright" means perpendicular, vertical. As an an adjective, an adverb and a noun, it is defined as: perpendicular, vertical. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Upright"?

Other words for "Upright" include all right, decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just and moral. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Upright" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Upright"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Upright". Common alternatives include all right, decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice and right.

What is the opposite of "Upright"?

Antonyms of "Upright" include bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent and sinful. Near antonyms include improper, incorrect, indecorous and naughty.

How do you use "Upright" in a sentence?

Examples of "Upright" in a sentence: "an honest and upright people"; "informing the clerk that he had just given me back too much in change was the only upright thing to do"; "only one pillar of the ruined temple remained upright".

Is "Upright" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Upright" can be used as an adjective, an adverb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Upright"?

"Upright" is pronounced /ˈəp-ˌrīt/ and divided into syllables as up·right.

What is the origin of the word "Upright"?

First known use: before 12th century.