upstanding
pronunciation
How to pronounce upstanding in British English:
UK [ˌʌpˈstændɪŋ]
How to pronounce upstanding in American English:
US [ʌpˈstændɪŋ, ˈʌpˌstan-]
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- Adjective:
- having high moral qualities
Word Origin
- upstanding (adj.)
- 14c., altered from or replacing Old English upstandene, in the literal sense, from up (adv.) + standing (see stand (v.)); see -ing (2). Figurative sense of "honest" is attested from 1863. A verb upstand "stand up, be erect, rise" is recorded from c. 1200.
Example
- 1. But on the whole , we 're upstanding citizens .
- 2. They may think of themselves as the more respectable and upstanding members of society .
- 3. Either way , my research has important implications for all investors and fine upstanding citizens .
- 4. It 's because those upstanding americans who cheered as barack obama 's predecessor rode roughshod over the constitution in his war on terror have found a new enthusiasm for a strict adherence to the us 's supreme law .
- 5. Heaven be praised , they became truly upstanding citizens who knew how to transfer from one subway line to another , who were fully capable of sending a special-delivery letter at the post office .