uplift
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to lift up; raise; elevate.
-
to improve socially, culturally, morally, or the like.
to uplift downtrodden and deprived peoples.
-
to exalt emotionally or spiritually.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
an act of lifting up or raising; elevation.
-
the process or work of improving, as socially, intellectually, or morally.
-
emotional or spiritual exaltation.
- Synonyms:
- enhancement, betterment, enrichment
-
a brassiere.
-
Geology. an upheaval.
verb
-
to raise; elevate; lift up
-
to raise morally, spiritually, culturally, etc
-
to collect (a passenger, parcel, etc); pick up
noun
-
the act, process, or result of lifting up
-
the act or process of bettering moral, social or cultural conditions, etc
-
-
a brassiere for lifting and supporting the breasts
-
( as modifier )
an uplift bra
-
-
the process or result of land being raised to a higher level, as during a period of mountain building
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of uplift
First recorded in 1300–50, uplift is from the Middle English word upliften. See up-, lift
Vocabulary lists containing uplift
Plate Tectonics - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Earth Science - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Earth Science - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The team also found that the uplift was not uniform.
From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026
I’m in a blessed position now with where my career is at that I can uplift other female artists and recognize their hard work.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
“We anticipate a modest check uplift but limited traffic benefit for MCD,” RBC analyst Logan Reich said in a note last week.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026
Also, there’ll be no equity fundraising, as the acquisition is entirely debt-funded, so existing shareholders face zero dilution while receiving full earnings uplift from first day of completion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
Many African Americans today believe that uplift ideology worked in the past and ought to work again—forgetting that ultimately it took a major movement to end the last caste system, not simply good behavior.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
