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Showing results for "uplifting"
  • present participle of uplift.
Synonyms

uplifting

American  
[uhp-lif-ting] / ʌpˈlɪf tɪŋ /

adjective

  1. inspirational; offering or providing hope, encouragement, salvation, etc..

    an uplifting sermon.


uplifting British  
/ ʌpˈlɪftɪŋ /

adjective

  1. acting to raise moral, spiritual, cultural, etc levels

"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

Etymology

Origin of uplifting

First recorded in 1810–20; uplift + -ing 2

Explanation

When you stand on a beach and admire the uplifting of a kite into the blue sky, you're watching it move up. Watching that kite rise might be an uplifting, or moving, experience. Use the noun uplifting to describe the upward movement of something. You could describe the uplifting of a hot air balloon on a sunny day, or the uplifting of a girl's long hair in the wind. The action of something rising is an uplifting. A more common way to use the word is as an adjective describing something that figuratively lifts one's spirits or mood.

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Vocabulary lists containing uplifting

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.

On Friday, the city of L.A. honored the series’ decade-long run and legacy of uplifting bolero music by declaring Aug.1 “Día del Bolero.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 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

This reflects an uplifting democratic impulse based in economics as well as philosophy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

He incorporated the colorful reference photographs into the final piece after Metro staff encouraged him to make the piece more uplifting.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Counterpoint, to Bach, was the ultimate set of laws in music; obeying these laws was for him something beautiful, uplifting and reassuring.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

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