uphold

[uhp-hohld]

See more 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.

Origin of uphold

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

Related formsup·hold·er, noun

Synonym study

1. See support.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for uphold

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

Examples from the Web for uphold

Contemporary Examples of uphold

A few days later, Bush replied, “We will uphold the law in Florida.”
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails
Jackie Kucinich
January 9, 2015
And yet, ultimately, the Supreme Court holds the power to uphold or undo what it has taken him years to accomplish.
From POTUS to SCOTUS: Obama’s Big Move?
Keli Goff
November 17, 2014
Meese, with the tacit acquiescence of other top officials, had laid out a version of events all were expected to uphold.
How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations
Malcolm Byrne
November 3, 2014
“It also comes with a bit of pressure to uphold that look,” he laughs.
Nick Jonas Is All Grown Up, Clutching His Penis and Everything
Kevin Fallon
October 8, 2014
Earlier this week she pleaded with ISIS to uphold the verdict of a makeshift Sharia court, which ruled that he was not a spy.
ISIS Beheads British Aid Worker Alan Henning
Nico Hines
October 3, 2014

Historical Examples of uphold

Wise counsels, like those which gave us the Constitution, prevailed to uphold it.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
I will uphold the curve of her eyelashes, for it tickleth my very heart-root to think of her.
The White Company
Arthur Conan Doyle
It seemed as if they stood 'round me, ready to uphold me in what I was doin'.
Tiverton Tales
Alice Brown
The only one who walked pretty soberly was the head-master, who had to uphold his dignity.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
He may be a Republican, and he must uphold with warmth and conviction Royalist theories.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt

British Dictionary definitions for uphold

uphold

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for uphold

early 13c., "support, sustain," from up + hold (v.). Cf. Old Frisian upholda, Middle Dutch ophouden, German aufhalten. Related: Upheld; upholding.