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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds
Verb
-
Platt defends his record Platt was not present.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025 -
After the game, Willard defends his comments questioning Maryland’s name, image and likeness funds compared with those of other Big Ten counterparts.—
C.J. Doon,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This strategic approach effectively gains and sustains ongoing interaction.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
-
What sustains a show is whether a love affair feels deep, whether a character comes by a change in perspective honestly.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Supreme Court decision on deportations lifts a lower-court block Alien Enemies Act but upholds rights of those targeted for enforcement.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Shown alongside photographs by the friends, family members and fellow artists who knew her best, the exhibition lifts the veil of myth that continues obscuring Kahlo as an individual.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
While this initiative aims to reward family formation, DOT also justifies its stance by saying projects will go to areas with rising populations, which presumably would need them in years to come.—
Haisten Willis,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
10 Mar. 2025
-
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, has condemned the United States for deploying an aircraft carrier to South Korea, calling the move a provocative act that justifies its nuclear program.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But for people living with chronic pain, experts agreed this research supports the idea that healthy eating could be a tool for some relief.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Such emerging opportunities can also be applied to cost benchmarking, scope-of-work planning and management, client-agency performance evaluations and many other key marketing functions that procurement supports.—
Bruno Gralpois,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Yet the possibility of preemptively pardoning people who have not been charged of any crimes raises a host of legal concerns that could sway Biden not to take action.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Research shows using a snowblower raises the heat rate to about 120 beats a minute compared with a heart rate of about 170 beats a minute when shoveling, according to the American Heart Association.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Austin Mock,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
With the win, Florida (43-25-3) maintains its spot at the top of the Atlantic Division with 11 games left to play.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Disturbing the peace carries a maximum sentence of 90 days or a $100 fine in Louisiana.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
He was not allowed to enter a plea on the treason charge, which carries a death penalty.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Upholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholds. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share