uplift

verb up·lift \ (ˌ)əp-ˈlift \

Definition of uplift

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

intransitive verb

:rise

—

uplifter

noun

See uplift defined for English-language learners

See uplift defined for kids

Examples of uplift in a Sentence

music that uplifts the soul
geologic forces that uplifted the mountains

Recent Examples of uplift from the Web

But my mom was really the main one who kept me uplifted.

— chris solari, Detroit Free Press, "Tyson Smith back at Michigan State after stroke: 'Time waits for nobody'," 14 Aug. 2017
Having Young back to full strength and re-establish himself as a dangerous pass rusher has been uplifting for his teammates.

— steve jones, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville football | Trevon Young's 'miracle' recovery impresses teammates," 10 Aug. 2017
Affirmative action continues to uplift the Asian community, particularly young people from traditionally disadvantaged Asian groups, such as Southeast Asians and low-income families.

— jo-ann yoo, Fortune, "Why Asian Americans Refuse to Be a Wedge in the War on Affirmative Action," 6 Aug. 2017
On Black Women's Equal Pay Day (July 31), a number of celebrities and influences used their platforms to uplift their sisters in the workplace.

— christina coleman, Essence.com, "These Celebrities Are Bringing Much-Needed Awareness To Black Women's Equal Pay Day," 31 July 2017
A small, peaceful, racially diverse crowd of gawkers gathered to contemplate the pedestal that now uplifted simply a pair of Confederate ankles.

— the washington post, AL.com, "A police car damaged an Alabama Confederate monument and reopened a town's painful wounds," 20 July 2017
BURNHEARTS PABST STREET PARTY Style: Six acts spanning from traditional back-porch country to uplifting hip-hop, with Wisconsin roots serving as a common thread.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Want live music this week but want to skip Summerfest? Choose from these five concerts," 29 June 2017
BURNHEARTS PABST STREET PARTY Style: Six acts spanning from traditional back-porch country to uplifting hip-hop, with Wisconsin roots serving as a common thread.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Want live music this week but want to skip Summerfest? Choose from these five concerts," 29 June 2017
BMe is unique because the only requirement is to engage the community and uplift others to share, inspire and empower, Barrett said.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "BMe Community awards $50,000 to five Akron men for socially conscious programs," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uplift.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of uplift

14th century

uplift Synonyms

Synonyms

boost, crane, elevate, heave, heft, heighten, hike, hoist, jack (up), lift, perk (up), pick up, take up, up, uphold, raise, upraise

Antonyms

drop, lower

Related Words

ascend, mount, rise; rear, upend

Near Antonyms

descend, dip, fall, pitch, plunge, slip; bear, depress, press, push; sink, submerge

uplift

noun up·lift \ ˈəp-ˌlift \

Definition of uplift

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

See uplift defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of uplift from the Web

So some saw hope in a group promising to bring morality, uplift Sunni Islam and implement God’s law, which many felt would ensure justice.

— hamza hendawi, The Seattle Times, "Iraq’s Sunnis wrestle with militants’ religious legacy," 27 Aug. 2017
So some saw hope in a group promising to bring morality, uplift Sunni Islam and implement God’s law, which many felt would ensure justice.

— Washington Post, "Iraq’s Sunnis wrestle with militants’ religious legacy," 27 Aug. 2017
Still, despite the album’s overly bright, radio-friendly production, most of the songs radiate the sort of emotional uplift that has distinguished Mercer’s songwriting; his reedy voice brings the bittersweet melodies to life.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "James Mercer’s melodic gift still shines, even without the rest of the original Shins," 27 July 2017
Lemon balm will reduce stress and uplift without the stimulant.

— christine buckley, Bon Appetit, "How to Swap Exotic Superfoods for the Local Stuff," 19 July 2017
There’s an encompassing sense of wonderment in this film that allows for both sadness and transcendent uplift.

— staff, The Christian Science Monitor, "Top Picks: PBS's 'Weekend in Havana,' Richard Russo's 'Trajectory,' and more," 7 July 2017
Uplift’s six-week program started with classes in self-esteem, anger avoidance, and customer service.

— jane m. von bergen, Philly.com, "Ex-inmates in Philly graduate to a new work life," 5 July 2017
Still, don’t expect crowd-pleasing fun, hummable tunes, or strong uplift.

— julia m. klein, Philly.com, "'Fun Home' at the Forrest Theatre: Achingly personal, with a great cast," 15 June 2017
But a prom send-off is a rare occasion to break this cycle of trauma and uplift community.

— NBC News, "Opinion: Stop Policing Black Joy in Senior Prom Send-Offs," 9 June 2017

First Known Use of uplift

circa 1845

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

UPLIFT Defined for English Language Learners

uplift

verb

Definition of uplift for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) happy or hopeful
: to lift (something) up : to raise (something) to a higher position

uplift

noun

Definition of uplift for English Language Learners

: an increase in amount or number
: an increase in happiness or hopefulness

UPLIFT Defined for Kids

uplift

verb up·lift \ ˌəp-ˈlift \

Definition of uplift for Students

uplifted; uplifting

1 :to lift up

2 :to make feel happy or hopeful

The music uplifted us.

uplift

noun up·lift \ ˈəp-ˌlift \

Definition of uplift for Students

:an increase in happiness or hopefulness

Learn More about uplift

See words that rhyme with uplift Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for uplift Spanish Central: Translation of uplift Nglish: Translation of uplift for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about uplift

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uplift

Definition of uplift

uplifter

From the M-W Editors

Examples of uplift in a Sentence

Recent Examples of uplift from the Web

First Known Use of uplift

uplift Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

uplift

Definition of uplift

Recent Examples of uplift from the Web

First Known Use of uplift

Other Geology Terms

UPLIFT Defined for English Language Learners

uplift

Definition of uplift for English Language Learners

uplift

Definition of uplift for English Language Learners

UPLIFT Defined for Kids

uplift

Definition of uplift for Students

uplift

Definition of uplift for Students

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