1
a
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
: vertically upward : in an upright position
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
Synonyms
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
Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2024
Instead of hauling out a heavy upright vacuum for everyday cleaning, consider snapping up this cordless vacuum while it’s marked down at Amazon.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024
Jo Marchant, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2024
That morning, a 90-ton crane hoisted the boat above Dale’s house, flipped it upright and gently lowered it onto the back of a truck.
—Staff Report, Orange County Register, 27 May 2024
Ben Morse, CNN, 2 July 2024
When the ball sailed through the uprights, the USC sideline erupted, fans hugged and high-fived and Quebec sensed something wonderful had happened and barked in approval.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for upright 
Adjective
Many trees and shrubs produce vigorous, upright stems that can reach several feet high over the growing season if left unchecked.
—Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2024
Instead of hauling out a heavy upright vacuum for everyday cleaning, consider snapping up this cordless vacuum while it’s marked down at Amazon.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024
Adverb
As it’s turned upright, there’s a gasp at the sight of a round mass on the back, reminiscent of a Buddha’s characteristic topknot hairstyle.
—Jo Marchant, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2024
That morning, a 90-ton crane hoisted the boat above Dale’s house, flipped it upright and gently lowered it onto the back of a truck.
—Staff Report, Orange County Register, 27 May 2024
Noun
Somehow Baumgartner was unable to make contact with the ball, instead clashing with the upright.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 2 July 2024
When the ball sailed through the uprights, the USC sideline erupted, fans hugged and high-fived and Quebec sensed something wonderful had happened and barked in approval.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for upright
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upright.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near upright
Cite this Entry
“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upright. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upright
1 of 2 adjective
up·right
ˈəp-ˌrīt 
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 noun1
: an upright or vertical position
2
: something upright
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