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Meaning & use

uprightness

noun·Advancedformal

Last updated

UK/ˈʌpraɪtnəs/
US/ˈʌpraɪtnəs/

Meanings

  1. noununcountableformal

    The quality of behaving honestly and morally, with a strong sense of what is right.

    Grammar: No plural and no article is needed: she was admired for her uprightness.

    Patterns

    • the uprightness of someone
    • uprightness in something

    The judge was respected for his uprightness as much as for his knowledge.

    Nobody doubted the uprightness of the old shopkeeper.

    Her uprightness made it impossible for her to accept the gift.

  2. noununcountablerare

    The state of standing or being positioned straight up, not leaning or lying down.

    Grammar: Describes a physical position and is usually followed by of: the uprightness of the pole.

    Patterns

    • the uprightness of something

    The tall pines impressed him with their uprightness.

    Engineers checked the uprightness of the tower after the storm.

    The soldiers' uprightness on parade was almost unnatural.

Common combinations

moral uprightness
The mayor was known for her moral uprightness.
personal uprightness
His personal uprightness earned him many loyal friends.
reputation for uprightness
The firm has a long reputation for uprightness.
doubt someone's uprightness
No one would dare doubt the doctor's uprightness.

Synonyms and how they differ

integrity
Integrity is the more common modern word and suggests being consistent between your values and your actions, while uprightness sounds more old-fashioned.
honesty
Honesty is narrower because it concerns telling the truth, whereas uprightness covers general moral conduct.
rectitude
Rectitude is even more formal and often sounds severe or slightly stiff.

Opposites

dishonestycorruption

Word family

upright adjective
honest and morally correct, or standing straight
uprightly adverb
in an honest, moral way
upright adverb
in a straight, vertical position
right noun
what is morally correct

Commonly confused: uprightness or upright piano?

uprightness vs upright piano

An upright piano is a type of instrument with vertical strings. It has nothing to do with moral uprightness.

Practice

The neighbours spoke with respect about the old clerk's ___, and nobody ever questioned his honesty.

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