UPHOLDS Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

upholds

verb

present tense third-person singular of uphold

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sustains

to hold up or serve as a foundation for an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns

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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

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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 The ruling essentially upholds similar bans enacted in 25 other states. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The ruling upholds laws in 30 states that allow at least some ballots to arrive after Election Day, including ballots from military voters and Americans who live overseas. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The ruling upholds Illinois law, which allows mail-in ballots postmarked — or personally attested to — by Election Day to be counted up to two weeks afterward. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 One ruling upholds a landmark case dealing with press freedom. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 June 2026 God, divine Love, upholds what is just, right, and spiritually true for all. — Liesl Ehmke, Christian Science Monitor, 29 June 2026 Thrash, whose latest project is a benefit gala at the Palace of Versailles planned for June 8, upholds a long tradition of American philanthropy in support of French cultural institutions. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2026 Islam, like Christianity, upholds the dignity of every human being and encourages dialogue and reconciliation over conflict. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026 If the Supreme Court upholds the decisions, Haitians and Syrians will be able to keep their protections. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds

Verb

Kalshi’s new product tests the limits of the CFTC’s permissiveness while the agency actively defends its ability to oversee prediction markets in court.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026
Waymo defends its safety record, saying that Waymo vehicles were involved in 94% fewer crashes that caused serious or fatal injury compared to human drivers in the same areas.

— Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Definition of defends

Verb

Beyond creating lifelong memories for families, the OC Fair is a key economic driver for the county that generates $109 million in wages and sustains nearly 2,200 jobs a year, according to an industry study released in May.

— Claire Wang, Oc Register, 13 July 2026
What sustains a relationship over years and decades is not the occasional spectacular gesture but a subtle, more repetitive pattern of behavior.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of sustains

Verb

Stand at the boat ramp below the hillside at first light, and the steam lifts off the current in slow curtains while birds cut silhouettes through a sky that has no business being that beautiful.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026
The marketing style resonates equality across age groups and lifts purchase intent.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Definition of lifts

Verb

The highest completion rate in the test still belonged to Opus, and the hardest work still justifies frontier pricing.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
But the evidence does not support the claim that noncitizen voting is occurring at a scale that justifies burdening millions of eligible Americans or overriding state election systems with a sweeping federal mandate.

— Reid Ribble, Time, 8 July 2026

Definition of justifies

Verb

The developer behind the skyscraper – the former Pfizer headquarters being converted into apartments – previously told CNN that faulty column supports carrying too much weight were to blame, and the building has since been stabilized.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
The program supports people with limited income who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026

Definition of supports

Verb

Analysts said the persistence of such underlying weakness also raises the question of whether Chinese officials will turn to more fiscal stimulus to try and boost domestic spending.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Diaz's go-to no-gear routine is one minute of squats, one minute of high knees, and one minute of calf raises.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2026

Definition of raises

Verb

Pollonia Fashion boutique Vanilla carries resort wear by Greek designers, including bold print dresses and flowing caftans.

— Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
The notion of remaining in your childhood home well into your adult years carries an enduring stigma, suggesting a failure to launch.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026