upright

1 of 3

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt How to pronounce upright (audio)
1
b
: erect in carriage or posture
c
: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular
upright freezer
2
: marked by strong moral rectitude
an upright citizen
uprightly adverb
uprightness noun

upright

2 of 3

adverb

: vertically upward : in an upright position

upright

3 of 3

noun

1
: the state of being upright : perpendicular
a pillar out of upright
2
: something that stands upright
especially : a football goalpost
usually used in plural
3
Choose the Right Synonym for upright

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable 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

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

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

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

Examples of upright in a Sentence

Adjective Put your seat back in the upright position. The container should be kept upright to prevent leaks. Noun The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
This vigorous, upright grower reaches a mature size of six to eight feet tall and four to six feet wide, making a lovely accent for shade gardens. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024 Type of bike Generally, there are five different types of exercise bikes: upright, recumbent, spin, air, or folding-style. Danielle Dimeglio, SELF, 31 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Overall balance has been tweaked to enable the use of both hands while upright, along with short bursts without needing a supporting cane. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2024 North West Rocks Out in Tyler, the Creator and H.E.R. Halloween Costumes Complete with Props and Wigs The first couple of photos were professional shots of Kardashian posing — standing upright in a silhouette hugging all-white second skin. Catherine Santino, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Bates’ field goal to tie the game and his field goal to win it narrowly passed through the uprights at NRG Stadium. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2024 From the moment of her father’s death and her subsequent coronation—receiving the Crown of St. Edward on her head, and bearing its almost five pounds of weight upright for the next three hours—the vast dimensions of her status as queen were coterminous with the diminutive dimensions of her person. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for upright 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upright was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near upright

Cite this Entry

“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upright. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

upright

1 of 2 adjective
up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt How to pronounce upright (audio)
1
a
: vertical entry 1 sense 2
an upright posture
b
: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular
2
: living by high moral standards : honorable
uprightness noun

upright

2 of 2 noun
1
: an upright or vertical position
2
: something upright

More from Merriam-Webster on upright

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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