Synonyms

uphold

American

[uhp-hohld] / ʌpˈhoʊld /

verb (used with object)

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.

uphold British

/ ʌpˈhəʊld /

verb

to maintain, affirm, or defend against opposition or challenge
to give moral support or inspiration to
rare to support physically
to lift up

"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

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

Derived Forms

upholder

noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of uphold

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

Explanation

When you uphold something, you stick up for or support it. Police officers are paid to uphold the law, and crazy Elvis fans uphold their belief that he's still alive out there somewhere. If you reverse the two parts of this word, you get hold up. And that's exactly what upholding is: holding up or supporting an idea or practice. You might uphold your dog's innocence, even though it's pretty obvious he dug up the neighbor's flower bed. When America fought for independence, we upheld the idea of fair representation. When you uphold something, you're taking a stand for it.

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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.

The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship is a real win, and it deserves to be celebrated.

From Salon • Jul. 9, 2026

A three-judge panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal unanimously decided last week it will uphold the conviction, but ordered Weinstein’s trial judge to resentence him.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Bayer CEO Bill Anderson said that that the settlement proposal “doesn’t take away from the truth, a truth that scientists and regulators around the planet continue to uphold, that glyphosate is safe and essential.”

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

While they did not hold uniformly progressive views on immigration, it is difficult to imagine either justice voting to uphold the Kafkaesque nightmare that Blanche v.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026

Questioning a man’s ghayrat, or ability to uphold his family’s honor, was one of the most insulting things you could say to a Pukhtun.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023