Uphold Definition & Meaning

American

British

Usage

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms uphold American [uhp-hohld] / ʌpˈhoʊld /

verb (used with object)

upheld, upholding

1. to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism.

   He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.

2. to keep up or keep from sinking; support.

   Stout columns upheld the building's heavy roof. Her faith upheld her in that time of sadness.

3. to lift upward; raise.

   The pilgrims upheld their eyes and thanked heaven for their safe journey.

4. British.

   1. to upholster.

   2. to maintain in good condition; take care of.

uphold British / ʌpˈhəʊld /

verb

1. to maintain, affirm, or defend against opposition or challenge

2. to give moral support or inspiration to

3. rare to support physically

4. to lift up

"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

Usage

What are other ways to say uphold? To uphold something means to support it or defend it against opposition or criticism. How is uphold different from maintain, support, and sustain? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

• upholder noun

Etymology

Origin of uphold

First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English upholden; up-, hold 1

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.

In a separate statement, Newsom hailed Snyder’s upholding the identification requirement for officers as “a clear win for the rule of law.”

From Los Angeles Times

If the Court of Appeal in Wellington upholds Tarrant's conviction, it will also need to consider an appeal against his sentence.

From Barron's

If the Court of Appeal in Wellington upholds his conviction, it would hold a separate hearing later in the year to consider an appeal against his sentence.

From Barron's

But the firm upheld its original decision that she could not have her job back.

From BBC

Questions remain about whether OpenAI will be able to monetize and uphold its cloud commitments and, consequently, if Oracle can convert its future deal pipeline into revenue.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• advocate
• confirm
• defend
• encourage
• endorse
• hold to
• justify
• promote
• side with
• stand by
• vindicate

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.