uplift

American  

[uhp-lift, uhp-lift] / ʌpˈlɪft, ˈʌpˌlɪft /

verb (used with object)

• uplifts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• uplifted,
  past participle,  past
• uplifting
  present participle

1. to lift up; raise; elevate.

2. to improve socially, culturally, morally, or the like.

   to uplift downtrodden and deprived peoples.

3. to exalt emotionally or spiritually.

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verb (used without object)

• uplifts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• uplifted,
  past participle,  past
• uplifting
  present participle

1. to become uplifted.

noun

1. an act of lifting up or raising; elevation.

2. the process or work of improving, as socially, intellectually, or morally.

3. emotional or spiritual exaltation.

   Synonyms:

   enhancement, betterment, enrichment

4. a brassiere.

5. Geology. an upheaval.

uplift British  

verb

1. to raise; elevate; lift up

2. to raise morally, spiritually, culturally, etc

3. to collect (a passenger, parcel, etc); pick up

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noun

1. the act, process, or result of lifting up

2. the act or process of bettering moral, social or cultural conditions, etc

3. 1. a brassiere for lifting and supporting the breasts

   2. ( as modifier )

      an uplift bra

4. the process or result of land being raised to a higher level, as during a period of mountain building

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uplifter
  noun
• upliftment
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• uplifting
  present
• uplifted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• uplift
  simple
• uplifts
  simple
• have uplifted
  perfect
• has uplifted
  perfect
• am uplifting
  progressive
• are uplifting
  progressive
• is uplifting
  progressive
• have been uplifting
  perfect progressive
• has been uplifting
  perfect progressive

Past

• uplifted
  simple
• had uplifted
  perfect
• was uplifting
  progressive
• were uplifting
  progressive
• had been uplifting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will uplift
  simple
• will have uplifted
  perfect
• will be uplifting
  progressive
• will have been uplifting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of uplift

First recorded in 1300–50, uplift is from the Middle English word upliften. See up-, lift

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

uplift uplifts uplifted uplifting

The earnings "uplift appears less pronounced than peers", RBC bank analysts wrote in a note.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

In Sweden and Finland, geological uplift is producing a relative decline in sea level along parts of the coast.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026

Enterprise customers are moving up to premium tiers and expanding their software spend, and ServiceNow is anticipating a pricing uplift of 20% to 30%.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

"It would be really good to see a budgetary uplift," she added, but acknowledged that "in this economic climate that is going to be a real challenge".

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Although many poor African Americans rejected the philosophies, tactics, and strategies of the black elite, ultimately moral uplift ideology became the new common sense.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Meanwhile NielsenIQ noted many related works -- including "The Iliad", Madeline Miller's "Circe" and Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad" -- had also seen "significant" sales uplifts.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

“It’s about time that Los Angeles — a city that is nearly 50% Latino of which 70% are of Mexican descent — has a museum that honors and uplifts Chicano and Mexican Art.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

"I reiterate my commitment to ensuring HSC colleagues receive their recommended 26/27 pay uplifts, despite the unprecedented shortfall as indicated in my draft budget," he said.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

“The uncertainty surrounding which companies will experience long-term earnings uplifts from AI helps explain the practical focus of most investors on the near-term earnings impact from AI,” Snider said.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

The curious beauty of African music is that it uplifts even as it tells a sad tale.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

It’s been a week of emotional and intellectual whiplash, but I head into the theater feeling uplifted.

From Slate ● May 8, 2026

For those weighed down by adult concerns, watching an episode leaves them feeling uplifted.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026

While artificial intelligence investments and spending by well-off families have powered the robust economic growth, it remains unclear if most households will feel uplifted by this boom.

From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026

Kotb returned this week to serve as a reassuring presence, keeping the mood uplifted while reminding viewers that the Guthries remain at the fore of their thoughts.

From Salon ● Feb. 13, 2026

Now he also experienced belatedly, for once in his life, the strongest and strangest passion; he suffered tre-mendously through it and yet was uplifted, in some way renewed and richer.

From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse

It wasn’t without faults—primarily its outrageous money grabbing, from the $5,000 nosebleeds to seven figure hospitality “experiences”—but it was largely an uplifting, five-week love bombing from Earth’s most popular sport.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

President Trump posted on Truth Social that “we loved them and their great and uplifting song.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

Steven said the experience of visiting the Taff Ely food bank was "uplifting" because people were very welcoming.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

EW&F is emblematic of Black identity, uplifting Black joy through a message of infinite possibility and affirmation, “feeding into little souls like mine,” says Michelle Obama.

From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2026

Where I floated, under the dark water, I heard the happiest sound my mind could conjure up — as beautiful, as uplifting, as it was ghastly.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Related Words

• excite
• exhilarate
• improve
• lift up