uphold
Americanverb (used with object)
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to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism.
He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.
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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.
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to lift upward; raise.
The pilgrims upheld their eyes and thanked heaven for their safe journey.
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British.
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to upholster.
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to maintain in good condition; take care of.
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verb
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to maintain, affirm, or defend against opposition or challenge
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to give moral support or inspiration to
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rare to support physically
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to lift up
Usage
What are other ways to say uphold? To uphold something means to support it or defend it against opposition or criticism. How is uphold different from maintain, support, and sustain? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- upholder noun
Etymology
Origin of uphold
First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English upholden; up-, hold 1
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.
This bill provides a reasonable and inexpensive way to protect judges better and to uphold the integrity of our justice system.
That argument won against Idaho, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court.
Do appealed but ultimately had his indefinite suspension upheld by the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board in October 2018, according to the plea agreement.
From Los Angeles Times
“Security in the Arctic must …be achieved collectively,” they wrote, “by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.”
From Salon
They also called for "upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders".
From BBC
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.
