Upstanding — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ/ up·stand·ing

Meaning & Definition of Upstanding

Upstanding (adjective)

  1. erect, upright
  2. marked by integrity

Upstanding (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. following the accepted rules of moral conduct

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

    similar: decent, ethical, honest, honorable, just, noble, principled, respectable, righteous, stand-up, upright
    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

  2. rising straight up

    "not a single wall remained upstanding after the tornado had passed"

    similar: erect, perpendicular, plumb, raised, stand-up, standing, upright, 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 Upstanding

The most common words with a similar meaning to Upstanding:

decent, ethical, honest, honorable, just, noble, principled, respectable, righteous, stand-up, upright, erect, perpendicular, plumb, raised, standing, vertical

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Upstanding

Words with the opposite meaning of Upstanding:

base, dishonest, dishonorable, ignoble, low, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unrighteous, unworthy, flat, recumbent

Related Words for Upstanding

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, elevated, lifted, upended, upraised, semierect

Near Antonyms of Upstanding

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

Word Forms of Upstanding

Derived words: upstandingness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Upstanding

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Upstanding

be upstanding

Frequently Asked Questions about Upstanding

What does "Upstanding" mean?

"Upstanding" means erect, upright. As an adjective, it is defined as: erect, upright. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Upstanding"?

Other words for "Upstanding" include decent, ethical, honest, honorable, just, noble, principled and respectable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Upstanding" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Upstanding"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Upstanding". Common alternatives include decent, ethical, honest, honorable, just, noble, principled, respectable, righteous and stand-up.

What is the opposite of "Upstanding"?

Antonyms of "Upstanding" include base, dishonest, dishonorable, ignoble, low, unethical, unjust and unprincipled. Near antonyms include bad, blackguardly, corrupt and criminal.

How do you use "Upstanding" in a sentence?

Examples of "Upstanding" in a sentence: "a fine, upstanding woman who deserves to be nominated to the state's highest court"; "not a single wall remained upstanding after the tornado had passed".

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

"Upstanding" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Upstanding"?

"Upstanding" is pronounced /ˌəp-ˈstan-diŋ/ and divided into syllables as up·stand·ing.

What is the origin of the word "Upstanding"?

First known use: before 12th century.