uphold

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈhōld How to pronounce uphold (audio)
Definition of upholdnext
1
as in to defend
to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections determined to uphold her views in the face of all challenges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position worshippers upheld their joined hands and sang the praises of the Lord

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word uphold different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of uphold are advocate, back, champion, and support. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

When is advocate a more appropriate choice than uphold?

While the synonyms advocate and uphold are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

When is it sensible to use back instead of uphold?

The meanings of back and uphold largely overlap; however, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When might champion be a better fit than uphold?

The synonyms champion and uphold are sometimes interchangeable, but champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

In what contexts can support take the place of uphold?

While in some cases nearly identical to uphold, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of uphold In January, military judges examining an appeal upheld the original death sentences. —Npr's International Desk, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025 Tuesday’s hearing appeals against a previous UK High Court ruling upholding RAVEC’s decision as lawful. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 While a regional court initially upheld the full sentence, the 9th Court of Cassation granted a partial reduction on Monday, cutting his sentence by seven months, Russian state news agencies reported. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of the country’s President, removing him from office. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uphold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uphold
  1. defend
  2. sustain
  3. lift
  4. maintain
  5. carry
  6. raise
  7. justify
  8. support
Verb
  • The judge defended his decision, citing the fact that Sullivan has no permanent residence, has been admitted to a hospital since her arrest for mental health reasons, has no prior criminal record and has not failed to appear in court as reasons why house arrest is not necessary.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Additionally, on Thursday, March 27, Burgess defended her and Green’s co-parenting relationship with Fox.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of defend
Verb
  • For more than 25 hours, the New Jersey Democrat stood at the Senate lectern speaking against President Donald Trump’s policies in what may be the most dramatic and sustained public challenge to Trump’s agenda since his return to the White House.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Phoebe Beltran sustained several cuts on her right arm and had to be hospitalized after she was attacked by the marine animal Sunday in Long Beach, about 24 miles south of Los Angeles, NBC Los Angeles and KTLA5 reported.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of sustain
Verb
  • Each carriage turns 360 degrees while lifting riders to 6 feet in the air.
    — Samantha Neely, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • When Medina instead lifts his right arm, which held the replica gun, officers open fire, striking Medina multiple times.
    — Max Levy, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • The Trump administration’s policies have led to actions such as the withdrawal of federal funding from institutions maintaining DEI programs.
    — Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • In addition to the discomfort felt in such areas, people with hip pain may also experience swelling, increased tenderness, bruising, difficulty walking, maintaining posture or even trouble sleeping.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of maintain
Verb
  • There were so many physical scenes and heavy emotions carried throughout.
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The charges carry a combined sentence of 24 to 62 years in prison, Drummond said, and up to $260,000 in fines.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • At the same time, these updates raise questions about the Oscars broadcast itself.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The incident with Lauren had understandably raised questions on whether Weezer’s set would still happen.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • Officials were pressed to justify the action on Sunday morning news shows, where again the confused messaging was apparent.
    — Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • High-stakes use cases might justify a premium model, while simpler tasks could be served by more affordable options.
    — Roman Vorel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of justify
Verb
  • The survey, conducted in late March among 1,500 voters, found that, while 83% of Democrats support financial assistance to Kyiv, 79% of Republicans oppose it.
    — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The organization supports the youth of St. Thomas through basketball mentorships.
    — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

uphills
uphold
upholding
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Cite this Entry

“Uphold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uphold. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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