uplift

American  

[uhp-lift, uhp-lift] / ʌpˈlɪft, ˈʌpˌlɪft /

verb (used with object)

• uplifts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• uplifted,
  past participle,  past
• uplifting
  present participle

1. to lift up; raise; elevate.

2. to improve socially, culturally, morally, or the like.

   to uplift downtrodden and deprived peoples.

3. to exalt emotionally or spiritually.

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verb (used without object)

• uplifts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• uplifted,
  past participle,  past
• uplifting
  present participle

1. to become uplifted.

noun

1. an act of lifting up or raising; elevation.

2. the process or work of improving, as socially, intellectually, or morally.

3. emotional or spiritual exaltation.

   Synonyms:

   enhancement, betterment, enrichment

4. a brassiere.

5. Geology. an upheaval.

uplift British  

verb

1. to raise; elevate; lift up

2. to raise morally, spiritually, culturally, etc

3. to collect (a passenger, parcel, etc); pick up

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noun

1. the act, process, or result of lifting up

2. the act or process of bettering moral, social or cultural conditions, etc

3. 1. a brassiere for lifting and supporting the breasts

   2. ( as modifier )

      an uplift bra

4. the process or result of land being raised to a higher level, as during a period of mountain building

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uplifter
  noun
• upliftment
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• uplifting
  present
• uplifted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• uplift
  simple
• uplifts
  simple
• have uplifted
  perfect
• has uplifted
  perfect
• am uplifting
  progressive
• are uplifting
  progressive
• is uplifting
  progressive
• have been uplifting
  perfect progressive
• has been uplifting
  perfect progressive

Past

• uplifted
  simple
• had uplifted
  perfect
• was uplifting
  progressive
• were uplifting
  progressive
• had been uplifting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will uplift
  simple
• will have uplifted
  perfect
• will be uplifting
  progressive
• will have been uplifting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of uplift

First recorded in 1300–50, uplift is from the Middle English word upliften. See up-, lift

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

uplift uplifts uplifted uplifting

The earnings "uplift appears less pronounced than peers", RBC bank analysts wrote in a note.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

The real-estate investment trust shifted to a revenue-sharing model with the two hospitals, which delivered a pleasant surprise to the REIT’s top line through a 0.8 million Singapore dollar uplift, the analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

The land in these regions is still rising because of postglacial rebound following the last Ice Age - and the uplift is occurring faster than the sea is rising.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026

It noted a more than 60% uplift in volume from debit cards and tap-to-pay options, while buy-now-pay-later volume rose 26%.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Although many poor African Americans rejected the philosophies, tactics, and strategies of the black elite, ultimately moral uplift ideology became the new common sense.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Meanwhile NielsenIQ noted many related works -- including "The Iliad", Madeline Miller's "Circe" and Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad" -- had also seen "significant" sales uplifts.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

“It’s about time that Los Angeles — a city that is nearly 50% Latino of which 70% are of Mexican descent — has a museum that honors and uplifts Chicano and Mexican Art.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

“The uncertainty surrounding which companies will experience long-term earnings uplifts from AI helps explain the practical focus of most investors on the near-term earnings impact from AI,” Snider said.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

“It uplifts burgers and sandwiches when used as a spread,” TJ’s said of its seasonal cheese.

From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2025

The curious beauty of African music is that it uplifts even as it tells a sad tale.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

"A selfless and gentle soul, he tirelessly uplifted others through his words and actions. His achievements were great and we do not want misrepresentations about his character to overshadow them," they added.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

I left our short chat feeling uplifted by how smiley and polite he was in daylight and while we were sober.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

It’s been a week of emotional and intellectual whiplash, but I head into the theater feeling uplifted.

From Slate ● May 8, 2026

While artificial intelligence investments and spending by well-off families have powered the robust economic growth, it remains unclear if most households will feel uplifted by this boom.

From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026

The room filled with uplifted hands to dissolve.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

"It's been a really uplifting experience for all involved, having that routine, knowing you're outside and being with people in your community," she added.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

As the show’s host, Queen Latifah dispensed uplifting thoughts about American idealism throughout the evening but also got a slot of her own to do her classic “U.N.I.T.Y.” with help from a rambunctious drum line.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

Steven said the experience of visiting the Taff Ely food bank was "uplifting" because people were very welcoming.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

EW&F is emblematic of Black identity, uplifting Black joy through a message of infinite possibility and affirmation, “feeding into little souls like mine,” says Michelle Obama.

From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2026

On this front, I had nothing terribly uplifting or encouraging to say.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• excite
• exhilarate
• improve
• lift up