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 The next man up in place of Reed is Amik Robertson — Detroit’s starting nickel and a player the Lions trust to uphold their standards at cornerback. Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 But, like his love for Chaya, the deeper purpose behind his music is upholding Black tradition and history through Jazz. Essence, 2 Oct. 2025 Much of the composition is given to the trio of commissioners who, tasked with investigating charges of bias in the trial, upheld the verdict—their faces sagging and stony, their staid officiousness echoing the resolute lines of the courthouse behind them. Nicole Rudick, The New York Review of Books, 2 Oct. 2025 The Bureau of Indian Affairs placed over 1,100 employees on furlough on the first day of the federal government shutdown, drawing complaints from some leaders who say the government should uphold its commitments to tribes. Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uphold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uphold
Verb
  • On paper, this is a deep, talented defense that skates well, defends hard, and can move the puck.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Much to the frustration of sleuthing fans, Sherman-Palladino has continued to defend the miniseries’ ending, saying her concern wasn’t with the goings on of any of the aforementioned men.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Both sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police told Fox19.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Some mentioned not being offered much guidance regarding how to communicate with the adoptive parents or sustain a healthy open-adoption relationship.
    Nicole Chung, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, around five firefighters arrived and were able to lift the elevator roughly five feet to pull them out safely.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Once the man was no longer surrounded by the beans, first responders were able to attach the man to a harness and lifted him up and out of the grain bin.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Combs maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the five counts brought against him.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.
    Data Skrive, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
  • James Peoples added seven carries for 59 yards, including a 33-yarder.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The government can raise revenues by increasing the payroll tax that funds Social Security or the income threshold to continue paying the tax or raise the full retirement age.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The nonprofit will provide scholarships and supportive services for families raising children with autism.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • On September 24, Judge Smith permanently enjoined DHS from enforcing broad new immigration compliance conditions on a wide range of preparedness grants, ruling the agency had exceeded its statutory authority and failed to justify departing from longstanding grant practices.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Among customers and in financial markets, skepticism is rising as some question whether the massive investment in AI will ever be justified by revenues.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Your browser does not support the video tag.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.
    Amy Huschka, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uphold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uphold. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on uphold

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