You must not look upon him as great.
Source: tatoeba (15801)
Upon
/əˈpɒn/
Synonyms for "upon" (136 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (28)
Strong matches (40)
choreconcerningdrudgedwell onen route toharp onheaded forhelpherebyhereinafterherewithin connection within contact within passage toin point ofin rein reference toin regard toin relation toin relation with
Show 5 more words
in respect toin transit toin virtue oflook afterminister to
Noun(11 words)
dependence on teacherdevelopment over timediscontinuity on the intervaleffect on performancefigure on attendancefrost on the windowfrost on the windshieldfrost over overnighthands on task appealinfluence on policymass on scale
Verb(2 words)
exert force onlocate on map
Related words (68)
Determiner(1 words)
no diagnosis at discharge
Noun(6 words)
onset of movementpolicy on academic disorganizationpower on stepprohibition on contactsmut on clothingsurface plane stock
Verb(2 words)
pull on ropesay on the matter
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: about, above, act on impulse, administer to, after which.
- Sentence evidence is available for upon, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "upon".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "upon"
Keep "upon" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "upon" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "upon", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "upon" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriespreposition of placetemporal preposition
More specific
7 entrieson the surface ofon top ofupon arrivalupon completionupon enteringupon graduationupon reflection
Collocations
6 entriesupon arrivalupon completionupon further noticeupon graduationupon reflectionupon request
Sample sentences
17 total sentences available.
You insist upon our taking that course of action.
Source: tatoeba (16093)
You have been imposed upon.
Source: tatoeba (16510)
You must not rely upon such a man.
Source: tatoeba (16528)
Showing 4 of 17 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "upon"?
Closest matches include about, above, act on impulse, administer to, after which.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "upon"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.