uphold

verb

up·​hold (ˌ)əp-ˈhōld 

upheld (ˌ)əp-ˈheld  ; upholding

transitive verb

1

a

: to give support to

b

: to support against an opponent

2

a

: to keep elevated

b

: to lift up

upholder noun

Synonyms

• defend
• justify
• maintain
• support

Choose the Right Synonym for uphold

support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition.

support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

Examples of uphold in a Sentence

He took an oath to uphold the Constitution.

They have a responsibility to uphold the law.

The Court of Appeals upheld his conviction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Starbucks has refuted these accusations, asserting its adherence to labor laws and affirming its commitment to upholding employees' freedom to decide on unionization. —Nik Popli, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024

The former soccer star alleges that F45 didn’t uphold its end of their contract, in which Beckham promoted the fitness brand ahead of its IPO in 2021. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024

Last year, the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld that decision. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 23 Apr. 2024

In a video posted on X, Hochul underscored the need to ensure students and faculty have the right to peacefully protest while also upholding human rights laws. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Dale’s ruling in November 2023, and the court denied a rehearing in January 2024. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2024

House Republicans, who say Mayorkas has failed to fulfill his duties in upholding immigration law, pushed for a full Senate trial of the case against him. —Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Governors' veto powers were again reduced in a 2020 state Supreme Court ruling that threw out three changes Evers had made to the 2019-21 state budget but upheld a fourth. —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024

Last November, the ACLU, Lambda Legal and other nonprofit advocacy groups asked the Supreme Court to review a September 2023 decision by the 6th Circuit that upheld laws that bar transgender children in Tennessee and Kentucky from accessing puberty blockers and hormones. —Ann Marimow, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing uphold

• uphold the decision

Kids Definition

uphold

verb

up·​hold (ˌ)əp-ˈhōld 

upheld -ˈheld  ; upholding

1

: to give support to

promise to uphold the law

2

a

: to keep elevated

b

: to lift up

upholder noun

Legal Definition

uphold

transitive verb

up·​hold

upheld; upholding

: to judge valid : let stand

uphold an award

specifically : to hold constitutional

uphold the practice of having religious invocations and benedictions at high school graduation ceremonies

—Sands v. Morongo Unified Sch. Dist., 809 P.2d 809 (1991)(dissent)

uphold a statute