uphold

[ uhp-hohld ]
/ ʌpˈhoʊld /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR uphold ON THESAURUS.COM

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.
  1. to upholster.
  2. to maintain in good condition; take care of.

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Origin of uphold

First recorded in 1175–1225, uphold is from the Middle English word up holden. See up-, hold1

synonym study for uphold

1. See support.

OTHER WORDS FROM uphold

up·hold·er, noun

Words nearby uphold

upham, upheaval, upheave, upheld, uphill, uphold, upholster, upholsterer, upholstery, uphroe, upi
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to uphold

vindicate, confirm, defend, advocate, encourage, endorse, promote, justify, bolster, champion, raise, buttress, hoist, brace, assist, countenance, back, upraise, prop, elevate

Example sentences 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 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