uphold

[ uhp-hohld ]

verb (used with object)

, up·held [uhp-, held], up·hold·ing.

1. to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism:

   He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.

2. 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.

3. to lift upward; raise:

   The pilgrims upheld their eyes and thanked heaven for their safe journey.

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

uphold

/ ʌpˈhəʊld /

verb

1. to maintain, affirm, or defend against opposition or challenge
2. to give moral support or inspiration to
3. rare.
   to support physically
4. to lift up

Derived Forms

• upˈholder, noun

Other Words From

• up·holder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uphold¹

First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English upholden; up-, hold ¹

Example Sentences

The public has an expectation that officers are true to their oath, that they’re upholding the law, not breaking the law.

From ProPublica

When Marshall began challenging segregation in the 1930s, the Supreme Court had rejected some forms of racial discrimination even though it had upheld segregation.

From No Straight News

This illiberal assault is putting inordinate pressure on the liberal international order and the institutions that uphold it, including the UN, NATO, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and others.

From MIT Technology Review

It also said that survey measures might underestimate the American public’s commitment to upholding democratic norms, when in fact, they might overestimate them.

From FiveThirtyEight

Similar procedural failures have plagued other administration efforts to abruptly and unilaterally change longstanding immigration controls anchored in existing law and upheld by the courts.

From TruthBeTold.news

A few days later, Bush replied, “We will uphold the law in Florida.”

From The Daily Beast

And yet, ultimately, the Supreme Court holds the power to uphold or undo what it has taken him years to accomplish.

From The Daily Beast

Meese, with the tacit acquiescence of other top officials, had laid out a version of events all were expected to uphold.

From The Daily Beast

“It also comes with a bit of pressure to uphold that look,” he laughs.

From The Daily Beast

Earlier this week she pleaded with ISIS to uphold the verdict of a makeshift Sharia court, which ruled that he was not a spy.

From The Daily Beast

The very act of producing is sufficient to uphold the equilibrium of the mental frame.

From Project Gutenberg

The object of the one party was to support Don Carlos and despotism; the other to uphold Isabella and the constitution.

From Project Gutenberg

That we are here proves that we do not uphold the people, and we need not too closely inquire who our neighbor may be.

From Project Gutenberg

Note the tiny quivering gold wires that uphold each emerald scale.

From Project Gutenberg

The wealth acquired through her naval supremacy enabled her to uphold the cause of her allies on the continent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advocate
• confirm
• defend
• encourage
• endorse
• hold to
• justify
• promote
• side with
• stand by
• vindicate

When To Use

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.