Synonym Chooser

How is the word uphold different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of uphold are advocate, back, champion, and support. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

When is advocate a more appropriate choice than uphold?

While the synonyms advocate and uphold are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

When is it sensible to use back instead of uphold?

The meanings of back and uphold largely overlap; however, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When might champion be a better fit than uphold?

The synonyms champion and uphold are sometimes interchangeable, but champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

In what contexts can support take the place of uphold?

While in some cases nearly identical to uphold, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of uphold Altieri was known for protecting creative rights while upholding broadcast standards. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025 An assertion that has been repeatedly upheld in the courts. Anthony Vega, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025 TikTok has argued that a U.S. ban violates the First Amendment, though the Supreme Court upheld the ban. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 20 Aug. 2025 By upholding Illinois' privacy protections, the court reaffirmed the principle that federal power over immigration does not automatically override state employment laws. Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uphold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uphold
Verb
  • The iconic fighter defended his son following his arrest, but has not spoken since the deportation.
    Fabiola Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The tone has been combative, crass, and what’s been defended as fighting fire with fire.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Since the war, officials have suggested Israel would sustain what would amount to an air occupation of Iran.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • At least two people sustained bites after dogs were reported to be running loose in the Mount Hope neighborhood Friday evening, San Diego police said.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • These storms are usually triggered by strong outflow winds from thunderstorms, which lift loose dirt into the air, drastically reducing visibility and creating hazardous driving conditions.
    Brandi D. Addison, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Briogeo’s scalp serum delivers a cooling sensation while lifting impurities that weigh hair down.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The group has maintained a devout following of millions of fans for over 40 years, and their most recent album, The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s 200 Albums chart back in 2022.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Regardless, the new system is easier to maintain because of its inherent design.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Each of the 11 charges against the men carries the same maximum penalty of six years in prison, in addition to a $10,000 fine.
    Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • According to California law, if convicted, the charge carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Local organizations and community members in Milwaukee are working to raise funds and support for both Hanan Refugees Relief Group and the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.
    Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Kennedy raises about 1,000 cattle and 2,800 sheep per year, in a regenerative style that prioritizes native plant varieties and focuses on sustainability.
    Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Trump justified both sets of tariffs - as well as more recent tariffs - under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
    Dietrich Knauth, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents the far southeast corner of the county, has opposed the project, arguing Google will create too few jobs and pay too little in taxes to justify taking up nearly 470 acres of land.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Another substantial difference was that my dad had 400,000-plus [NASA] people supporting him, while Ed had Tenzing [Norgay] and a small supporting cast of expedition Sherpas and climbers.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Alina has shifted her focus from keywords to conversations, mining sales calls and support tickets for the exact questions customers ask, then creates content to answer them — filling topic gaps where competitors are visible, but Aura isn’t.
    Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uphold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uphold. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.

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