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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upholding
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
The order, Protecting the Rights and Well-Being of Baltimore City Residents, highlights the city's commitment to upholding the safety, dignity, and rights of all residents, the mayor said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Judge Snyder agreed with the state, upholding the ID law.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
In December, the state Supreme Court denied to hear the city’s petition on the matter, upholding the appellate court decision.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Or the hundreds of husks left on the ground, brown, semitransparent, upholding the shape of the life that had once been but was now gone?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Similarly, the Indian supreme court has decriminalized consensual same-sex conduct and recognized transgender rights while upholding ever more repressive actions by Narendra Modi’s government.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The Iowa Public Information Board appealed that ruling, which led to Wednesday’s decision upholding the district court’s decision.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 26 Feb. 2026
What followed was a long legal fight, with the Michigan state and federal courts ultimately upholding a foreclosure sale of the house for $76,000.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
Until then, Polis must remain steadfast in upholding justice.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
The order, Protecting the Rights and Well-Being of Baltimore City Residents, highlights the city's commitment to upholding the safety, dignity, and rights of all residents, the mayor said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Judge Snyder agreed with the state, upholding the ID law.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
In December, the state Supreme Court denied to hear the city’s petition on the matter, upholding the appellate court decision.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Or the hundreds of husks left on the ground, brown, semitransparent, upholding the shape of the life that had once been but was now gone?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Similarly, the Indian supreme court has decriminalized consensual same-sex conduct and recognized transgender rights while upholding ever more repressive actions by Narendra Modi’s government.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The Iowa Public Information Board appealed that ruling, which led to Wednesday’s decision upholding the district court’s decision.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 26 Feb. 2026
What followed was a long legal fight, with the Michigan state and federal courts ultimately upholding a foreclosure sale of the house for $76,000.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholding
Noun
-
Straight talk invites mutual respect and steadier cooperation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Being a good role model shows your child how to behave with kindness, honesty, and respect.—
Barrie Gillies,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Inter Miami earned a bye as defending MLS champion.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The defending champions were relentless.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
James did not play after sustaining a left elbow injury against the Nuggets.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In the labor movements of the thirties, the civil rights movement of the sixties, and the Grenadian revolution of 1979, the poem has always been a collaborator in the work of creating and sustaining movements.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Juraj Slafkovsky put Montreal in front less than five minutes before the second intermission, lifting a wrist shot over Kuemper’s glove from the slot.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
On Sunday afternoon, Nathan MacKinnon scored the decisive goal in a shootout, lifting the Avalanche to a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Wild in their final meeting of the regular season.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in deference to the master’s wishes, they’ve been left in the ashes to be spread across the order’s dozen centers across five continents.—
Deepa Bharath,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
-
But in deference to the master's wishes, they've been left in the ashes to be spread across the order's dozen centers across five continents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Basij, a paramilitary volunteer militia under the umbrella of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is tasked with maintaining societal control.—
Robert Stewart,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Since inflammation is linked to common concerns like acne, rosacea, and eczema, maintaining healthy levels could play a small role in keeping skin looking more even and less irritated.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No, the actor, now 27 and recognized in the best supporting actress category for her sensitive turn in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, has actually—wait for it—already been working for a quarter of a century.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
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From cushioned walking sneakers to sleek slip-ons and foldable flats, the brand boasts arch-supporting insoles enhanced with anti-odor technology to keep feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There are dangers that the entire global supply chain could be upended, raising costs for businesses and their customers.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Many young people in China complain that the cost of raising children is too high and that job prospects are too low.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholding. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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