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
Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
But upholding the rule of law also means making sure there are consequences for those who undermine it.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
Brooks approached Dodson during the joint practice with the Bears because, in his view, Dodson wasn’t upholding his usual standard in a team period.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The Supreme Court's recent decision upholding Tennessee's ban means most other state laws are likely to remain in place.
—Ali Swenson The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
Today, holiday celebrations are for anyone — whether upholding traditions or enjoying the magic of the extravagant displays and festive shopping.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025
Unconditional self-love is a beautiful sentiment, but no one should be forced to remain in a body that’s taking a toll on their mental or physical health just for the sake of upholding the concept of body positivity.
—Michelle Konstantinovsky, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
The attorney general has got to stand for upholding the rule of law so that this state can thrive.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
His choices force Mickey to constantly balance protecting her family with upholding the law.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
With the global order in flux and the great powers pursuing geopolitical and normative revisionism, there has been much discussion about the role small and middle powers can play in upholding international law and multilateralism.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
But upholding the rule of law also means making sure there are consequences for those who undermine it.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
Brooks approached Dodson during the joint practice with the Bears because, in his view, Dodson wasn’t upholding his usual standard in a team period.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The Supreme Court's recent decision upholding Tennessee's ban means most other state laws are likely to remain in place.
—Ali Swenson The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
Today, holiday celebrations are for anyone — whether upholding traditions or enjoying the magic of the extravagant displays and festive shopping.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025
Unconditional self-love is a beautiful sentiment, but no one should be forced to remain in a body that’s taking a toll on their mental or physical health just for the sake of upholding the concept of body positivity.
—Michelle Konstantinovsky, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
The attorney general has got to stand for upholding the rule of law so that this state can thrive.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
His choices force Mickey to constantly balance protecting her family with upholding the law.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholding
Noun
-
Neena says her respect for older generations began early.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
European leaders coordinated joint responses, insisting any deal respect Kyiv’s red lines, while the administration stressed pragmatic compromises to secure lasting peace.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Argentina, the defending champion, has expressed interest in setting up its base camp in Kansas City.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Alex Condon added 21 points and former Arkansas Razorback Boogie Fland chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the defending national champion Gators, who beat the Bulldogs for the 13th time in their past 14 meetings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Western governments have imposed sanctions on her in the past for her part in sustaining Maduro’s administration.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Puig first tore the ACL in his left knee in the Western Conference final in 2024, assisting on the game’s only goal after sustaining the injury.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 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
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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
-
Proxy advisors will continue to play a role, but their influence will no longer be supported by blind deference.—
Shane Goodwin,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
His pretensions—riding around in a grand coach and continuing the weekly levees—as well as his administration’s notorious effort to enforce deference in the 1798 Sedition Act, fell flat.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the East Bay, this group brings together community organizations, public agencies and volunteers with the goal of maintaining a healthy, vibrant Oakland.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections policy, maintaining good personal hygiene, a clean living area and a positive attitude toward staff and other inmates, helps the prisoner advance to a new level.—
Ashlynd Baecht,
The Frontier,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If your money wasn’t involved in supporting the Dallas Cowboys show, all of it may be funny, instead of just flat, sad, and a bad joke.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
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The companies said the robotaxi is designed to deliver a premium passenger experience while supporting large-scale autonomous deployment.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholding. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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