uplift

1 of 2

verb

up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift 

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

music that uplifts the soul

intransitive verb

: rise

uplifter noun

uplift

2 of 2

noun

up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift 

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

Synonyms of uplift

Verb

• lift
• elevate
• raise

Examples of uplift in a Sentence

Verb

music that uplifts the soul

geologic forces that uplifted the mountains

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Katina has also taken a hands-on role in charitable work, especially in areas centered around youth development and uplifting underserved communities. —Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

At the turn of the 20th century, faith in the state’s capacity to improve lives, new ideas about hygiene, and efforts to uplift the urban poor all combined to create more public spaces where nudity was considered appropriate. —Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025

Noun

Fort Worth itself was badly in need of Christian uplift. —Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2025

Each is a crowd-pleasing staple of the moral-uplift canon — though not all are without footnotes. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025

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

Kids Definition

uplift

1 of 2 verb

up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift 

1

: to lift up : elevate

2

: to improve the spiritual, mental, or social condition of

uplift

2 of 2 noun

up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift 

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