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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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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Recent Examples of upholding
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
David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
The murders of Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson On December 12, 1998, a 21-year-old Lee walked into Jimmy’s Pawn Shop in Orville, Alabama, according to a 2013 federal appeals ruling upholding his conviction and sentence.
—Nina Giraldo, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Federal judges tasked with upholding the law now stand accused of skirting it in these three high-profile incidents this week.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 9 June 2026
The visit illustrates his balancing act of upholding centuries-old religious traditions in a country where faith is waning while reaching a global audience from a basilica that is more a magnet for tourists than believers.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Under pressure from the officer on the phone, Sandra, her fiancé, and other employees at the establishment are ordered to put Becky through a series of increasingly exploitative and humiliating experiences — all in the name of upholding the law.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Warsh at his swearing-in spoke positively about upholding both sides of the dual mandate.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Referee Dan Engler did not see Gunther’s foot under the rope, and Gunther protested despite Engler upholding the decision.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Hunter left in early 2024 to open his own venture and Bradyn Kawcak stepped in as executive chef, successfully upholding Atelier’s one Michelin star.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Noun
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
There are no majorities for anything, least of all for upholding the rights of the freed slaves in the South.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
The murders of Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson On December 12, 1998, a 21-year-old Lee walked into Jimmy’s Pawn Shop in Orville, Alabama, according to a 2013 federal appeals ruling upholding his conviction and sentence.
—Nina Giraldo, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Federal judges tasked with upholding the law now stand accused of skirting it in these three high-profile incidents this week.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 9 June 2026
The visit illustrates his balancing act of upholding centuries-old religious traditions in a country where faith is waning while reaching a global audience from a basilica that is more a magnet for tourists than believers.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Under pressure from the officer on the phone, Sandra, her fiancé, and other employees at the establishment are ordered to put Becky through a series of increasingly exploitative and humiliating experiences — all in the name of upholding the law.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Warsh at his swearing-in spoke positively about upholding both sides of the dual mandate.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Referee Dan Engler did not see Gunther’s foot under the rope, and Gunther protested despite Engler upholding the decision.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Hunter left in early 2024 to open his own venture and Bradyn Kawcak stepped in as executive chef, successfully upholding Atelier’s one Michelin star.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholding
Noun
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That nod to Towns is with all due respect to Jalen Brunson, who has lived up to the Captain Clutch nickname in two straight games.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
-
Americans, the historian Louis Hartz argued, embraced a common liberal tradition, built around a respect for democracy, property, and individual liberty.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The park is also home to the Groton Monument, which is dedicated to the American soldiers who died while defending the fort.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
At that point, Brazil—the defending champions who would go on to win the tournament—leads 2-1 on a pair of goals by Garrincha.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Despite sustaining significant injuries, police said the couple was able to transport themselves to a local hospital.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
These graveyards form when whale carcasses fall to the sea floor, becoming a sustaining snack for nearby critters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Defending champion Argentina’s quality is stronger since lifting the trophy in Qatar.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
While the Blues entered the 2025/26 campaign with high hopes after lifting the Club World Cup, the team failed to live up to expectations, floundering in the Premier League and going through three different managers in the space of only a few months.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Pro leagues and players’ unions negotiate disciplinary, eligibility and anti-gambling rules, disputes over which are resolved via grievance and arbitration procedures and, when litigated, are given high deference by judges.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
-
The service ethos is more discreet deference than chatty confidence.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Simpson explained that maintaining her glossy image was emotionally challenging.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 June 2026
-
Statisticians call it an illusory correlation, maintaining that proponents perceive a predictive relationship when actually non exists.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Your 10th House of Career gains shine as beauty-loving Venus arrives, supporting confident polish and the power of understated presence.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
State initiatives aimed at supporting fusion research and commercialization have encouraged investment and collaboration, helping establish an ecosystem designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
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So, climbing one rung higher and losing to a different team will lead to raising the Cup?—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
Elon Musk's mega-conglomerate SpaceX made history on Thursday, raising $75 billion in the biggest initial public offering on record.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholding. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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