Synonyms of upheld

upheld 1 of 2

adjective

as in uplifted

Related Words

• uplifted
• raised
• upraised
• overhead
• ascendant
• soaring
• overlooking
• ascending
• upper
• uppermost
• upward
• topmost
• elevated
• upmost
• high
• airy
• nosebleed

Dissimilar Words

• dropped
• low
• lowered
• grounded
• fallen
• descending
• down
• depressed
• sunken
• low-lying
• lowermost
• level
• even
• descendant
• undermost
• nethermost
• abreast

upheld

2 of 2

verb

past tense of uphold

1

as in defended

to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections

determined to uphold her views in the face of all challenges

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defended
• justified
• maintained
• supported
• affirmed
• advocated
• asserted
• proclaimed
• confirmed
• stuck up for
• discussed
• championed
• stood up for
• stated
• vindicated
• insisted
• argued
• pleaded
• contended
• espoused
• emphasized
• protested
• claimed
• averred
• professed
• debated
• warranted
• underscored
• underlined
• avowed
• stressed
• avouched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandoned
• withdrew
• reversed
• retracted
• forsook
• switched
• recanted
• took back
• refuted
• abjured
• rebutted
• disproved
• controverted

2

as in sustained

to hold up or serve as a foundation for

an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sustained
• carried
• bolstered
• supported
• stayed
• buttressed
• braced
• underpinned
• propped (up)
• bore
• undergirded
• steadied
• trussed
• shored (up)
• underlay

3

as in lifted

to move from a lower to a higher place or position

worshippers upheld their joined hands and sang the praises of the Lord

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lifted
• raised
• elevated
• hoisted
• uplifted
• heightened
• boosted
• heaved
• hiked
• took up
• upped
• picked up
• mounted
• upraised
• ascended
• rose
• hefted
• perked (up)
• craned
• jacked (up)
• reared
• upended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dropped
• lowered
• fell
• slipped
• pushed
• descended
• pressed
• bore
• plunged
• dipped
• pitched
• depressed
• sank
• submerged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of upheld

Adjective

In the accompanying photo, Fleetwood and his new bride, Elizabeth Jordan lean into one another, cheekily posing behind Fleetwood's upheld fedora. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026

Guest conductor Edward Gardner, principal conductor of the London Philharmonic, was obviously frustrated when even his upheld hands couldn’t stop the applause. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026

Verb

An appeals court just upheld the far-right politician's conviction for embezzlement, but reduced her ban on seeking public office from five years to 15 months. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 7 July 2026

The Rockies then challenged that Rushing was blocking the plate, but the out call was upheld and the inning ended. — Kyle Glaser, Oc Register, 7 July 2026

To reach its problematic decision, the court also continued its assault on precedent, overturning a case that had upheld such limits as recently as 2001. — Barbara McQuade, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Both prison sentence and ban have been shortened The appeals court upheld guilty verdicts for all 11 accused, including Le Pen and other party members. — Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Last year, the Supreme Court upheld a different Texas law requiring that pornographic websites verify users are at least 18 to allow access. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Last year, the court upheld a Texas law that requires pornographic websites to verify users' ages. — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 6 July 2026

The Alaska Supreme Court, in an order released Monday, upheld the ruling. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Decades later a baseball player, Curt Flood, challenged the exemption, but in 1972, the Supreme Court upheld the exemption under the doctrine of stare decisis. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026