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

The Supreme Court upheld the IRS’ decision to deny the school its exemption. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District upheld Yust’s convictions in August 2023, and the Missouri Supreme Court later denied his application to transfer the case for review. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

He was arrested later that month, in Texas, but was released from jail on August 27th, after Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, refused to extradite him back to Minnesota, a decision upheld by a federal judge. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

In response to the incident, Ruth said the department has initiated an internal investigation to ensure polices are upheld. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026

If the executive order is enacted and ultimately upheld by the courts, states would have to provide lists of eligible voters to the federal government, and any mail-in ballots would only be sent to people on those lists. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026

During the 19th century, President Abraham Lincoln used the Prize Act of 1812 to blockade Confederate seaports—an act that was contested and eventually upheld by the Supreme Court. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Several political parties sought a review of the first-round vote, but the results were upheld. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Neither Talwani’s decision nor the Supreme Court ruling upheld the policy’s legality. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026