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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of upholds
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
This upholds a May ruling from the Court of International Trade, but the decision will not go into effect until October 14.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
If the high court upholds her removal, the case would be transferred to another district attorney, who could either drop it or revisit Willis’s charges.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
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
This upholds a May ruling from the Court of International Trade, but the decision will not go into effect until October 14.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
If the high court upholds her removal, the case would be transferred to another district attorney, who could either drop it or revisit Willis’s charges.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds
Verb
-
Goose Crowder #9 of the Troy Trojans throws the ball during the first quarter as Jordan Lovett #1 of the Troy Trojans defends against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
McDaniels defends Maye Following his recent press conferences, something is amiss with Drake Maye.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The new model sustains its focus for 30 hours, topping Anthropic Opus 4’s seven-hour runtime.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Replacing wind and solar with gas, coal and nuclear power means reliable, affordable electricity that supports and sustains industries and employment.—
Craig Rucker,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Slowly, as the curtain lifts on the institution’s insane practices and the complicity of the town at large, the narrative reaches a wild conclusion that defies expectation.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Zach lifts him over his head onto his shoulders.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This year's installer icon is one of the ones that finally justifies years' worth of effort spent tracking and talking about the changes in macOS installer icons.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Throughout, in interviews with Costa, Malafaia justifies his political aspiration with Biblical parables.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The material’s magnetic alloy, composed of cobalt, iron, germanium, and tellurium, supports ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism in a single structure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Replacing wind and solar with gas, coal and nuclear power means reliable, affordable electricity that supports and sustains industries and employment.—
Craig Rucker,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Antifa International raises money through standing campaigns on Patreon, FundRazr, and the Action Network, a fundraising platform used to mobilize support for left-wing causes.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Republicans said his response raises questions as to whether the investigation of Russia's interference in the 2016 election was a result of a strategy pushed by Hillary Clinton's campaign.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The White House maintains that anyone living in the country illegally is considered to be a criminal by the federal government.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Two minutes later, Masco evened the score, 7-7, courtesy of a 55-yard dash from Jack Fabiano (16 carries, 101 yards).—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
-
While California’s deep-blue electorate is probably more receptive to AOC than most other states, Newsom’s strategy of courting the far-left carries significant risks, both for this vote and for his longer term viability in a presidential general election.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholds. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share