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.
No one was hurt, she scrubbed the thought from her head and became the upstanding moral citizen she is today.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
Jim Bob Duggar attempted a political comeback in 2021 when he ran for a vacated seat in the Arkansas state Senate, leaning on what he believed was his reputation as an upstanding family man.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Local leaders and families are ordered to identify those they recognise as upstanding citizens.
From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026
On the surface, Muhammed Asif Hafeez was an upstanding individual.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 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.
