1
as in defends
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lifts
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upholds
There’s a reason why everyone from nurses to marathon runners upholds Hoka as the gold standard in comfy walking shoes.
—
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
The data show that 61% of women identify as feminist and are suspicious of any institution that upholds traditional social norms, according to the Survey Center on American Life.
—Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Without discussion, the council unanimously decided against a de novo hearing, which upholds the Planning Department’s decision to mark the application incomplete.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
The real challenge is building a system that reflects our values, upholds the rule of law and meets the country’s long-term needs.
—Kristie De Pena, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Strength of the Balance Sheet Vale upholds a relatively cautious balance sheet with net debt nearing $10–11 billion, which is modest in relation to EBITDA.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
As a public institution, UVU upholds First Amendment rights and fosters an environment where ideas – popular or controversial – can be exchanged freely, energetically, and civilly.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
If the appeals court upholds the block, the dispute is likely to advance to the Supreme Court.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Education explicitly oriented toward liberation—not that which either explicitly or implicitly upholds the status quo—is vital to the process of conscientization.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
The data show that 61% of women identify as feminist and are suspicious of any institution that upholds traditional social norms, according to the Survey Center on American Life.
—Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Without discussion, the council unanimously decided against a de novo hearing, which upholds the Planning Department’s decision to mark the application incomplete.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
The real challenge is building a system that reflects our values, upholds the rule of law and meets the country’s long-term needs.
—Kristie De Pena, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Strength of the Balance Sheet Vale upholds a relatively cautious balance sheet with net debt nearing $10–11 billion, which is modest in relation to EBITDA.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
As a public institution, UVU upholds First Amendment rights and fosters an environment where ideas – popular or controversial – can be exchanged freely, energetically, and civilly.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
If the appeals court upholds the block, the dispute is likely to advance to the Supreme Court.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Education explicitly oriented toward liberation—not that which either explicitly or implicitly upholds the status quo—is vital to the process of conscientization.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds
Verb
-
Israel's prison service defends its treatment, but human rights groups report serious abuses.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Carrie is in love with Richard, defends him, and even punishes Laura by starving her for multiple days.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s what sustains a culture over the long term.—
Prof. Dr. med. Mazda Farshad,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
What sustains us is Julia Roberts and the cast.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Find something that lifts your spirits — then do it on a regular basis.—
Kat McGowan,
NPR,
18 Oct. 2025
-
When excess electricity is available, the motor lifts the mass upwards, storing excess energy as gravitational potential.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rethinking Schools’ text justifies much of the Black Panther Party’s mission, despite its members’ open calls for violent revolution against the United States and their many armed, and occasionally deadly, confrontations with law enforcement and rival activists.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The church must name abuse as sin and reject any misuse of Scripture that justifies endurance in violence.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Research on interpersonal warmth—which, alongside competence, accounts for roughly 82% of how people evaluate others—supports the importance of explicit positive communication.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in the body that primarily supports muscles.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fernandes Anderson was staring down an impending $5,000 fine for a state ethics violation around that time period, for hiring two immediate family members to her City Council staff, giving them raises, and in the case of her sister, a bonus.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The man's defense attorneys said in a statement Thursday that the verdict raises questions about what is considered espionage under Norwegian law.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Rectangular Dish This baking dish is crafted from durable stone that maintains even temperatures and prevents scorching.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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This DreamSky pick maintains the beloved look of an analog digital Timex, while covertly offering modern accoutrements like a dimmable LED display, a sleep timer, and a USB port.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her poetry carries it all—the metaphysical, the flirtatious, the unsettling, the provocative— all in such miniscule space.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The line also carries the Seal of Cotton trademark, Cotton Incorporated’s label that verifies the natural fiber content of products.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholds. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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