uphold

[ uhp-hohld ]
See synonyms for: upholdupheldupholdingupholder on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),up·held [uhp-held], /ʌpˈhɛld/, up·hold·ing.
  1. to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism: He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.

  2. to keep up or keep from sinking; support: Stout columns upheld the building's heavy roof. Her faith upheld her in that time of sadness.

  1. to lift upward; raise: The pilgrims upheld their eyes and thanked heaven for their safe journey.

  2. British.

    • to upholster.

    • to maintain in good condition; take care of.

Origin of uphold

1
First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English upholden; see up-, hold1

Other words from uphold

  • up·hold·er, noun

Words Nearby uphold

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use uphold in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for uphold

uphold

/ (ʌpˈhəʊld) /


verb-holds, -holding or -held (tr)
  1. to maintain, affirm, or defend against opposition or challenge

  2. to give moral support or inspiration to

  1. rare to support physically

  2. to lift up

Derived forms of uphold

  • upholder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012