as in respect
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upholding
Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Since 1972, the Kerrville Folk Festival has been upholding the spirit of grassroots Texas music camaraderie.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
There is always a feeling upholding your thoughts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Former Fed chairs and Treasury Department secretaries have joined scores of economists and financial experts in writing amicus briefs supporting Cook and warning the Supreme Court against upholding her firing.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
Practical reforms — such as improving federal review timelines, modernizing oversight processes and enhancing coordination among agencies — can help ensure that good projects move forward faster while upholding environmental and community protections.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
In a capitalist society, upholding your values is never simple.
—Chella Man, Time, 17 Jan. 2026
The court’s historical focus seems likely to yield nuanced results, striking down some regulations and upholding others.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
The government remains focused on upholding its constitutional duty to protect all citizens and on advancing security reforms that improve coordination, accountability, and civilian safety nationwide.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
In upholding Sjostrom’s ruling on the non-resident petition gatherers issue, the appeals court offered similar reasoning as in its decision about the inactive-voters issue.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Since 1972, the Kerrville Folk Festival has been upholding the spirit of grassroots Texas music camaraderie.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
There is always a feeling upholding your thoughts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Former Fed chairs and Treasury Department secretaries have joined scores of economists and financial experts in writing amicus briefs supporting Cook and warning the Supreme Court against upholding her firing.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
Practical reforms — such as improving federal review timelines, modernizing oversight processes and enhancing coordination among agencies — can help ensure that good projects move forward faster while upholding environmental and community protections.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
In a capitalist society, upholding your values is never simple.
—Chella Man, Time, 17 Jan. 2026
The court’s historical focus seems likely to yield nuanced results, striking down some regulations and upholding others.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
The government remains focused on upholding its constitutional duty to protect all citizens and on advancing security reforms that improve coordination, accountability, and civilian safety nationwide.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholding
Noun
-
Keane loved Polinsky’s insistence on inclusiveness, respect for the governor down to the most obscure staffer, and zero tolerance for those disrespectful to rank-and-file workers.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
More effective diplomacy, as demonstrated by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron at the same forum, conveys the same message about resisting bullying through measured language that preserves dignity and institutional respect.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Newcastle face the toughest task, playing defending European champions PSG in Paris knowing even a win won’t guarantee them a top-eight spot because of goal difference potentially coming into play.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has refused to budge, defending blue slips as a core component of the Senate’s constitutional role in providing advice and consent.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And for Hoka, sustaining double-digit percent growth over the medium term will depend on expansion into lifestyle.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
However, filmmakers, producers, distributors, sales agents, publicists, critics, sponsors, and former Sundance staff — many of whom credit the festival with launching or sustaining their careers — spoke on background or off the record.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In 2024, in first (partial) year in his new no-heavy-lifting sinecure, Lowy pocketed $351,050.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
With the shot clock running down, Lopez swung the ball back to the other side, with Sanders waiting to retrieve it after lifting from the corner.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One truth of which Vigil seems deliberately oblivious is that many of those who inspire confidence and deference, as Boone did, have something going for them.—
Julius Taranto,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The federal courts usually grant deference to the president when the government issues statements in the context of litigation.—
Andrea Katz,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An 80-year-old Haverhill accountant pleaded guilty in Essex Superior Court Friday to charges of maintaining a house of prostitution, and possession with intent to distribute charges for suboxone, gabapentin, and marijuana, as well as a fentanyl possession charge.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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However, Ederheimer added that mandatory minimum sentences may not actually encourage violent offenders not to commit crimes, further adding to the complex balance of maintaining justice and community safety.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Uhlaender has even said that some Canadian athletes are privately supporting her in this battle.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The main cast is a bit too Hollywood to complement the movie’s outsider spirit (even if Wilde and Hoffman are fully on board with the Araki of it all), and — Wonders notwithstanding — the supporting players aren’t given much of a chance to compensate for that.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Along with her late husband, the pair founded VIB, an anti-violence nonprofit dedicated to raising social awareness and aiding community causes in Boston, federal prosecutors said.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
During the 2020 campaign, Joe Biden proposed raising the corporate tax rate.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholding. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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