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Showing results for "uplifting"
  • present participle of uplift.
Search instead for uplisting.
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.

See Examples For:

"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

McLean said when GST was introduced the states agreed to compensate islanders by improving personal tax allowances, uplifting income support payments and targeted support through the community costs bonus.

From BBC Jul. 14, 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

Earth, Wind & Fire’s cheery, uplifting hits were at odds with the decadeslong internal strain that eventually tore the band apart.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 18, 2026

The view, I'll admit, is less than uplifting.

From "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleischman

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