upstanding
Americanadjective
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upright; honorable; straightforward.
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of a fine, vigorous type.
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erect; erect and tall.
adjective
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of good character
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upright and vigorous in build
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(in a court of law) a direction to all persons present to rise to their feet before the judge enters or leaves the court
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(at a formal dinner) a direction to all persons present to rise to their feet for a toast
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Other Word Forms
- upstandingness noun
Etymology
Origin of upstanding
before 1000; Middle English; Old English upstandende; up-, stand, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Local leaders and families are ordered to identify those they recognise as upstanding citizens.
From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026
As is the case in these mysteries, the upstanding citizens are propped up by a whole lot of lowlifes, but few as fearsome as Scott Shepherd’s chilly construction manager, Allen Murphy.
From Salon • Sep. 23, 2025
A top-notch campus alone does not produce academic achievement — and, conversely, a brilliant teacher and an assiduous student in a one-room schoolhouse can make for an upstanding education.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025
"Please be upstanding for the world's most confusing House of Games contestant and Bake Off failure, Self Esteem!"
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2025
But then Cecil’s voice rang out: “Be upstanding for Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cheddar Gorge!”
From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
