uphold
[ uhp-hohld ]
/ ʌpˈhoʊld /
verb (used with object), up·held, up·hold·ing.
to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism: He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.
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.
to lift upward; raise: The pilgrims upheld their eyes and thanked heaven for their safe journey.
British.
- to upholster.
- to maintain in good condition; take care of.
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Nearby words
upham, upheaval, upheave, upheld, uphill, uphold, upholder, upholster, upholstered, upholsterer, upholstery
Origin of uphold
Related formsup·hold·er, noun
Synonym study
1. See support.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for uphold
British Dictionary definitions for uphold
uphold
/ (ʌpˈhəʊld) /
verb -holds, -holding or -held (tr)
to maintain, affirm, or defend against opposition or challenge
to give moral support or inspiration to
rare to support physically
to lift up
Derived Formsupholder, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for uphold
uphold
early 13c., "support, sustain," from up + hold (v.). Cf. Old Frisian upholda, Middle Dutch ophouden, German aufhalten. Related: Upheld; upholding.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper