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 Last month the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law that prohibits certain types of gender-affirming medical care for children involving puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 July 2025 After a state appeals court upheld the initial decision early last month, the Indiana Supreme Court on Feb. 19 overturned the prior rulings and struck down the order to stop work. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 The Tennessee Supreme Court upheld a law that gives more power over death penalty cases to the attorney general's office. Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 The Supreme Court upheld a law that allows Americans injured by acts of terror in the Middle East to take Palestinian leadership groups to U.S. courts for damages. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for uphold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uphold
Verb
  • Thanks to the oceans on either side of us, the frozen wasteland to the north, and a gentle behemoth to the south, no one thought much about having to defend our borders.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
  • The medium-to-long-range layer, David’s Sling, has replaced Patriot batteries supplied by the United States, defending against both aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles using a missile called Stunner.
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The nation’s second-largest school system has been able to sustain deficit spending because of reserves left over from more than $5 billion in one-time pandemic-relief aid.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
  • Yet his silence during the war — and the damage sustained across Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure — has raised new doubts about the regime’s preparedness and resilience.
    Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Sealing your grout is a great way to prevent further staining and using a steam cleaner can help to lift the stains.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • The perpetrator has been banned indefinitely from all major league venues, but the incident has sparked a massive debate about how athletes are treated by the public, particularly since 2018, when the Supreme Court lifted a 1992 federal law prohibiting single-game wagering.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • While relationships — particularly those with elements of the fanbase — were fractured by the time of Messi’s departure in the summer of 2025, sources close to the French club — who will remain anonymous to protect relationships — maintain there are no regrets over his signing.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Bears could starve, groups maintained, and their populations could plummet again.
    Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • This level carries a monthly charge of €14.99 or €149 per year.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 July 2025
  • By comparison, in 2020, Joe Biden carried the same age group by a much wider margin, winning 61 percent to Trump's 36 percent.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Business leaders must raise their voices—not just for equity, but for the sustainability and competitiveness of their own industries.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • One of the notes came not long after jurors started deliberating and raised concerns from several jurors about another member of the panel.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • In our opinion, this favorable trend justifies an upward revision of its valuation multiple.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In recent weeks, the Trump administration has used constitutional maneuvers invented to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act to justify using troops to round up immigrants.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Those using it can sit upright, sit cross-legged, lean back, sit diagonally so the hammock fabric supports their legs, and otherwise move and contort into various positions for extra comfort.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
  • Some include strengthening academic and residential life and including more Jewish student representation; supporting belonging and promoting respectful dialogue; and updating campus use rules and other procedures.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uphold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uphold. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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