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
Monday's Supreme Court ruling Monday’s decision upholds a lower court ruling that denied DNA testing of the belt.
—
Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
The Giants need a hierarchy, a leadership group of veterans that upholds a standard, one voice from the head coach on down that does not tolerate rookies, second-year players and guys not on the field putting the rest of the group in the public eye for the wrong reasons.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
If the city upholds QuikTrip’s permit, Schaffer said Publication Printers could choose to pursue the matter in state district court.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Wood questioned what kind of example Board members set when they are not held to the same rigorous standards to which the district upholds its students.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Chait has extensive experience presenting to the Board of Education and unfailingly upholds the administration’s perspective.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment and removes him as president, triggering an election within 60 days to choose his successor.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Can anyone claim that the current policy upholds this principle?
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
In a league that still recites diversity statements and upholds Rooney Rule interview requirements, no Black head coaches were hired.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
The Giants need a hierarchy, a leadership group of veterans that upholds a standard, one voice from the head coach on down that does not tolerate rookies, second-year players and guys not on the field putting the rest of the group in the public eye for the wrong reasons.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
If the city upholds QuikTrip’s permit, Schaffer said Publication Printers could choose to pursue the matter in state district court.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Wood questioned what kind of example Board members set when they are not held to the same rigorous standards to which the district upholds its students.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Chait has extensive experience presenting to the Board of Education and unfailingly upholds the administration’s perspective.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment and removes him as president, triggering an election within 60 days to choose his successor.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Can anyone claim that the current policy upholds this principle?
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
In a league that still recites diversity statements and upholds Rooney Rule interview requirements, no Black head coaches were hired.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds
Verb
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For people living along the coast, sand also defends against intense storms and sea level rise fueled by climate change.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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Prosecutor defends plea agreement Two men accused of firing shots after the 2024 Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally are still awaiting trial.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The answer is that the chlorophyll pigment dominant in green leaves is more efficient at triggering photosynthesis — the process by which plants make the sugar that sustains them — than the pigments dominant in darker leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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Rimsky-Korsakov sustains that urgency, creating a narrative through music that moves and reshapes itself in surprising ways.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pivotal moments Once the countdown hits zero and the towering Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft lifts off, Blackwell-Thompson hands over to Jeff Radigan, Artemis II lead flight director at Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center in Houston.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
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To, be in this moment where, uh, the audience lifts out of themselves and comes into a collective state of feeling.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This justifies using the average premium SVOD churn rate, even though Paramount+ has traditionally fallen short of it.—
Andrew Root,
Sportico.com,
27 Feb. 2026
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The constraint, Dolci says, is not audience demand – the performance of existing screens more than justifies expansion – but the availability of suitable sites.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Norris supports paper ballots instead of voting machines, according to his campaign website.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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More noteworthy initiatives include the hotel’s green roof, which supports urban biodiversity, and its five-year Habitat Management Plan, run by a team of ecologists.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When working, pick tools that feel good to use, and pay attention to how your schedule raises or lowers stress.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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Warm water raises skin temperature, and the core temperature drop after stepping out signals the brain to release melatonin.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Southwest Airlines maintains a clear point of view.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence.—
Rhiannon Evans,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Of all the criteria the employer has to weigh, including personality and work ethic, the candidate’s ability to do the job carries the most weight.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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The first offense carries a maximum of a year in county jail, according to the bill.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholds. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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