morally upstanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally upstanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who adheres to high moral standards and behaves in an ethical manner. Example: "The community respected her for being morally upstanding, always helping those in need and standing up for justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"The ANC was meant to be a morally upstanding party.

The Guardian

Also often depicted were his parents, the morally upstanding Moominmamma and the responsible but restless Moominpappa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But supposedly intelligent, morally upstanding people had been indulging in it right in Langley, Va.

The New York Times

Plato felt that the protection of being unidentifiable could corrupt even the most morally upstanding person.

The Guardian

When he helped end apartheid, De Klerk may have been politically shrewd, but he was not morally upstanding.

The New York Times

There are countless artists who seemingly lead decent, morally upstanding lives, who don't beat their wives, slur the Jews, or even cheat on their taxes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

See if the confinement nanny is capable of dealing with the following: Educating the parents about the practices on confinement, as well as passing on tips and tricks about raising your children to be morally correct, upstanding citizens of society.

WikiHow

"O, brilliant kids, you get to put on the garments of the morally righteous and upstanding while your parents work — because mothers work now and always have worked — and your parents must say, 'Yes, sir,' or 'No, sir,' to those who hire them.

The New York Times

Possess upstanding moral character.

WikiHow

As your numbers plummet dramatically in the polls, your supporters desert you, and your staff makes news for tell-all disclosures and foul mouthed rants, I look like a wise parent for all the advice I've given my kids over the years about how to live an upstanding life and not be a morally reprehensible human being: qualities that you continue to demonstrate against so effectively.

Huffington Post

It deals with the scourge of racism in civil rights era America (found in the hearts of otherwise 'morally upstanding' individuals like Atticus) whose trajectory can be traced to America's relationship with its black community today, and to the Charleston shootings.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "morally upstanding", provide specific examples of their actions or behavior that demonstrate their high moral standards. This adds credibility to your description.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling someone as "morally upstanding" without providing any context or examples to support the claim. This can make your writing seem superficial and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally upstanding" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It's used to characterize individuals, groups, or entities as possessing high moral standards and integrity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "morally upstanding" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that describes someone who adheres to high moral standards. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its primary function is to convey respect and approval. While the phrase appears in various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media sources. When using "morally upstanding", it's best practice to support the description with concrete examples to avoid superficiality. Alternatives include "ethical", "principled", and "honorable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally straight

Emphasizes adherence to a strict moral code, differing slightly in its focus on rigidity.

morally righteous

Suggests a strong belief in one's own moral correctness, implying a degree of conviction beyond mere adherence to standards.

morally respectable

Highlights the social approval aspect of moral behavior, focusing on how one is perceived by others.

morally fair

Focuses on impartiality and justice in moral judgments, emphasizing equitable treatment.

morally fine

Indicates an acceptable level of morality, presenting a weaker, more general endorsement.

morally forthright

Stresses directness and outspokenness in moral matters, emphasizing a willingness to express one's moral stance.

morally straightforward

Implies honesty and candor in moral dealings, adding a dimension of transparency.

morally decent

Implies adherence to basic moral norms, emphasizing respectability and avoidance of egregious wrongdoing.

morally good

A simpler, more general expression of moral positivity, lacking the specific connotation of adhering to a standard.

morally okay

Suggests a minimal level of moral acceptability, conveying a weaker endorsement.

FAQs

How can I use "morally upstanding" in a sentence?

You can use "morally upstanding" to describe someone who consistently demonstrates high ethical and moral standards in their behavior and decisions. For example, "The community regarded him as a "morally upstanding" member because of his commitment to honesty and integrity."

What are some alternatives to saying "morally upstanding"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "ethical", "principled", "virtuous", or "honorable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "morally upstanding citizen"?

While "citizen" often implies adherence to societal norms, using "morally upstanding" adds emphasis to the individual's exceptional commitment to ethical behavior, making it not strictly redundant but rather reinforcing.

What is the difference between "morally upstanding" and "legally compliant"?

"Legally compliant" means adhering to the laws and regulations, while "morally upstanding" refers to adhering to high ethical and moral principles, which may extend beyond legal requirements. Someone can be legally compliant without being "morally upstanding", and vice versa.