Synonyms of uphold

uphold

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈhōld 

1

as in to defend

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

• defend
• maintain
• justify
• support
• affirm
• advocate
• assert
• proclaim
• stick up for
• stand up for
• confirm
• vindicate
• insist
• discuss
• espouse
• plead
• contend
• emphasize
• argue
• profess
• claim
• champion
• state
• protest
• warrant
• aver
• underline
• avow
• debate
• underscore
• avouch
• stress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdraw
• abandon
• forsake
• retract
• take back
• reverse
• switch
• recant
• abjure
• refute
• disprove
• rebut
• controvert

2

as in to sustain

to hold up or serve as a foundation for

an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sustain
• carry
• support
• bolster
• stay
• underpin
• buttress
• bear
• undergird
• brace
• shore (up)
• prop (up)
• underlie
• steady
• truss

3

as in to lift

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

• lift
• raise
• elevate
• uplift
• hoist
• heighten
• take up
• boost
• heave
• hike
• up
• pick up
• crane
• heft
• rise
• ascend
• perk (up)
• jack (up)
• upraise
• mount
• upend
• rear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• lower
• fall
• descend
• push
• slip
• bear
• plunge
• dip
• press
• depress
• pitch
• sink
• submerge

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

Recent Examples of uphold

The Republican administration says the 4th Circuit decision conflicts with rulings by at least three other circuits and, if upheld, will hamper the government's ability to deport immigrants with terrorism ties in many other cases. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

For me, getting to explore the interior lives of women with a rejection towards society’s pressure to have to uphold some false perfection — that’s really thrilling for me as an artist. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Wisdom to uphold the law, understand and fight for the needs of Winter Springs, and developing good rapport with parties interested in developing or redeveloping our city must be balanced. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

That decision, upheld on appeal, put the onus on the Continuum of Care, an amorphous entity with a board and open membership that had long functioned as an appendage of LAHSA but actually had the statutory power to hire or fire the agency. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026