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 Her digital footprint is growing, and so is her resolve to push platforms to uphold their policies. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 15 May 2025 Five businesses contend Trump has no authority to impose tariffs in what lawyers a 'breathtaking power grab' Justice Department lawyers say presidents have been regulating trade 'since the Nation's infancy,' and have been upheld by Congress and the courts. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 14 May 2025 Many of the judges’ questions focused on United States v. Yoshida International (1975), a federal appeals court decision which upheld a 10 percent tariff President Richard Nixon briefly imposed on nearly all foreign goods. Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025 Haney had upheld his end of the bargain earlier on Friday, beating José Ramírez by unanimous decision. Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for uphold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uphold
Verb
  • Scheffler, the world No. 1, and defending PGA champion Schauffele had plenty to say about mud balls on tee shots, particularly on the 16th hole that sent both to double bogey.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles will be featured prominently during the 2025 NFL season.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Professionals who combat stress early experience fewer health problems and sustain higher performance levels throughout their careers.
    Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • While Warner's performance in 2024 wasn't as impressive as seasons prior, the linebacker played through a broken ankle after sustaining the injury in Week 4.
    Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Colorful murals, many by women artists, greeted me at every turn; one by illustrator Brooke Smart, depicting women lifting each other up, reflects the ethos of the district.
    Carley Thornell, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
  • To further lift morale, staff organised a barbecue at the training ground, which went down well with the players.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said in an X post that explosions were heard in the northern Indian state’s capital Srinagar just hours after both nations agreed to maintain a ceasefire.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • The last four shows have mostly maintained the same set list, including her beloved throwback hits.
    Caché McClay, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • In 1914, thieves managed to dislodge one of the bronze children and carry it 150 feet before abandoning the 300-pound figure.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025
  • The unfortunate truth is that blueberries can carry all sorts of unwanted guests, from dirt and debris, tiny bugs like aphids or fruit flies, pesticide residue, bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, mold spores, and even parasites.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Now 10 and 8 years old, respectively, Hilty and Gallagher are raising their children in New York City.
    Marissa G. Muller, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Some were concerned the data was being used to justify efforts to combat climate change, although the rising cost of weather disasters is due to more than just global warming.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • This would effectively challenge pharmaceutical companies to justify their pricing to America, leading to equitable pricing.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Brown gathered prominent African-American voices, primarily star athletes, to discuss and ultimately support heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali's refusal, a month earlier, to enter the Vietnam War draft.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • International projects have included Project Mercy Baja to help impoverished families obtain homes in Mexico, water purification projects in Ecuador, providing feminine hygiene supplies in India and supporting nursing students in Mexico.
    Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uphold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uphold. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on uphold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!