Synonyms of upholding

upholding 1 of 2

noun

as in respect

Related Words

• respect
• deference
• adherence
• honor
• compliance
• regard
• conformity
• keeping
• conformance
• observance
• observation
• obedience
• acquiescence
• surrender
• submission
• abidance
• attendance
• accession
• attention
• heed
• notice

Dissimilar Words

• violation
• breach
• infringement
• ignoring
• contravention
• disregard
• trespass
• transgression
• infraction
• forgetting
• neglect
• nonobservance
• delinquency
• offense
• challenge
• sin
• dereliction
• defiance
• overlooking
• wrong
• rebellion
• brush-off
• flouting

upholding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of uphold

1

as in defending

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

• defending
• maintaining
• justifying
• supporting
• advocating
• affirming
• asserting
• proclaiming
• championing
• confirming
• discussing
• sticking up for
• vindicating
• standing up for
• insisting
• espousing
• stating
• emphasizing
• protesting
• arguing
• pleading
• claiming
• contending
• professing
• debating
• averring
• warranting
• stressing
• underscoring
• underlining
• avowing
• avouching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandoning
• withdrawing
• forsaking
• reversing
• retracting
• taking back
• switching
• abjuring
• recanting
• refuting
• disproving
• rebutting
• controverting

2

as in sustaining

to hold up or serve as a foundation for

an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sustaining
• supporting
• carrying
• bolstering
• staying
• underpinning
• buttressing
• bracing
• bearing
• undergirding
• underlying
• propping (up)
• shoring (up)
• steadying
• trussing

3

as in lifting

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

• lifting
• raising
• elevating
• hoisting
• uplifting
• heightening
• boosting
• upping
• hiking
• heaving
• taking up
• craning
• rising
• ascending
• jacking (up)
• hefting
• mounting
• upraising
• picking up
• perking (up)
• upending
• rearing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lowering
• falling
• dropping
• descending
• pushing
• slipping
• plunging
• dipping
• bearing
• pressing
• pitching
• sinking
• depressing
• submerging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of upholding

Noun

Service, intentionally or not, leaves a wide, wild path for a person to project onto the journey, the setting, the suffering of discomforts, the upholding of promise, their close relationship. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Protecting judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and court staff is fundamental to guaranteeing access to justice, judicial independence, and the upholding of the democratic order. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026

In addition, the NFL alleged that the report card surveys interfered with the union’s upholding of Article 39, Section 5, which mandates that the league and union jointly conduct an anonymous survey at least once every three years regarding players’ opinions on medical care and staff. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026

Verb

Despite voters upholding the practice, California has not executed anyone since 2006. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Martin supported the head tax and was the deciding vote recently upholding the mayor’s veto of an ordinance that would have required 30 of 50 aldermen to support future bond authorizations. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

The Poor Things star has been a vocal supporter of upholding the landmark status of the neighborhood’s historic West Park Presbyterian Church since 2023. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026

Because freedom of navigation was viewed as a fundamental principle of the global order, assembling large groups committed to upholding this pillar was intended to demonstrate international resolve and isolate the bad actor. — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026

An appeals court has denied Danny Masterson‘s appeal of his 2023 conviction on rape charges, upholding the verdict and his 30-year prison sentence. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Courts, however, have ruled otherwise, upholding both Sullivans’ spots on the ballot. — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

By contrast, the CJP considers peaceful protest, along with upholding the country’s constitution, essential elements of democracy. — Amrita Basu, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026

But the agency is responsible for licensing local radio and TV stations across the US and upholding basic standards, and Carr has repeatedly used that limited power to pressure broadcasters. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026