uplift

1 of 2

verb

up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift How to pronounce uplift (audio)
uplifted; uplifting; uplifts

transitive verb

1
: to lift up : elevate
especially : to cause (a portion of the earth's surface) to rise above adjacent areas
2
: to improve the spiritual, social, or intellectual condition of
uplifter noun

uplift

2 of 2

noun

up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift How to pronounce uplift (audio)
1
: an act, process, result, or cause of uplifting: such as
a(1)
: the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface
(2)
: an uplifted mass of land
b
: a bettering of a condition especially spiritually, socially, or intellectually
c(1)
: influences intended to uplift
(2)
: a social movement to improve especially morally or culturally
2
: a brassiere designed to hold the breasts up

Examples of uplift in a Sentence

Verb music that uplifts the soul geologic forces that uplifted the mountains
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Britain has a very big problem with supporting and uplifting its Black British talent. Alexis P. Williams, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023 Kendrick’s senior season is his chance to stake his claim in Joppatowne lore uplifted by a drought-ending college commitment on the horizon. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2023 The band, who recently launched a social impact initiative, was inspired to uplift the Uvalde and San Antonio communities by donating a portion of the proceeds from their Texas shows to The Maite Yuleana Rodriguez scholarship offered by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Hannah Prince, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2023 This energizing strain is known for its ability to uplift mood and promote a sense of well-being, potentially helping individuals combat anxiety. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023 Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 7 Keep Flowers Fresh Nothing uplifts a room like a vase of fresh flowers! Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 31 Aug. 2023 Riding the wave of TikTok influence, she's used the power of social media to connect, resonate, and uplift with her music. Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2023 The young depth is another unique trait of this year’s team, uplifting their championship expectations. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2023 Two dollars from every ticket sold will go to the Cactus Jack Foundation, a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to uplift Houston youth through toy drives, scholarships for HBCU college students and fulfilling expenses for education and creative endeavors. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2023
Noun
According to the study, the central uplift and associated angular rock have all been eroded. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 1 Sep. 2023 What the filmmaker, along with his co-writer Carolina Cavalli, never forces her to do is adapt or assimilate in a way that seems convenient to easy-peasy uplift, or even closure. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2023 Unlike many labor leaders of his era, Debs argued for the admission of Black people and women into his railway union, and cared more about racial uplift than other white socialists. Ross Barkan, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2023 During the quarter, generalist streaming service Youku’s total subscription revenue grew by 5% year-over-year, primarily driven by increasing average revenue per user and the uplift that came from successful new content. Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Aug. 2023 People are, however, interested in and drawn to wealth, view it as a signifier of wisdom, and are perhaps a little less interested in the communal uplift that’s at the core of Jackson’s life’s work, Perry says. Janell Ross, Time, 18 July 2023 Officials are after the excess net interest income generated in 2022 and 2023 relative to 2021, resulting from banks raising lending costs in lockstep with central-bank policy, while refusing to reward deposit holders with a similar uplift in interest rates. Jon Sindreu, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2023 The show was planned a few years ago, but the summer of 2023 – so far the hottest on record – provides a serendipitously apocalyptic backdrop for an exhibition all but devoid of uplift, for the planet or anything else. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Aug. 2023 On top of that, an area to the east of Sabatini has been experiencing uplift for at least the past 125,000 years. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uplift.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uplift was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near uplift

Cite this Entry

“Uplift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uplift. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

uplift

1 of 2 verb
up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift How to pronounce uplift (audio)
1
: to lift up : elevate
2
: to improve the spiritual, mental, or social condition of

uplift

2 of 2 noun
up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift How to pronounce uplift (audio)
1
: an act, process, or result of uplifting
especially : the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface
2
: moral or social improvement or a movement to make such improvement

More from Merriam-Webster on uplift

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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