uplifting

American  

[uhp-lif-ting] / ʌpˈlɪf tɪŋ /

adjective

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

   an uplifting sermon.

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uplifting British  

/ ʌpˈlɪftɪŋ /

adjective

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

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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.

Example Sentences

It all started in 1973 when proprietor Hilly Kristal transformed his dive bar into a venue for Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Other Music for Uplifting Gormandizers — CBGB-OMFUG for short.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2025

Uplifting and glorious, with bittersweet blue notes and a swing buoyed by faith alone, Tines took us to church with it, prompting at least one “Hallelujah” from the audience.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2022

Uplifting stories of volunteers, first responders, charitable efforts, everyday Americans helping each other and other acts of coronavirus-era heroism will be told as part of the initiative.

From Fox News • Mar. 30, 2020

Uplifting of ocean sediments can return carbon to land.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

We gather he finds this desperate bit of damfoolery we are on now pretty Uplifting altogether.

From The Lost Kafoozalum by Ashwell, Pauline