uphold

verb

up·​hold (ˌ)əp-ˈhōld How to pronounce uphold (audio)
upheld (ˌ)əp-ˈheld How to pronounce uphold (audio) ; upholding
Synonyms of uphold

transitive verb

1
a
: to give support to
uphold a tradition
uphold the Constitution
b
: to support against an opponent
2
a
: to keep elevated
b
: to lift up
3
law : to judge to be valid : let stand
uphold a statute
The court upheld the agency's decision.
upholder noun

Synonyms of uphold

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support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition.

support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

Examples of uphold in a Sentence

He took an oath to uphold the Constitution. They have a responsibility to uphold the law. The Court of Appeals upheld his conviction.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The global brand is very focused on wellness, and this property is steadfast in upholding the theme. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026 The court ruled 6-3 to uphold state laws that protect women's sports from biological male trans athletes. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 The high court ruled that state bans on trans athletes participating in women's and girls' sports do not violate Title IX, upholding the bans passed in those states. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Transgender rights suffered another major loss in the Supreme Court last year, when the justices upheld a Tennessee law that banned gender-affirming care for minors in the state. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for uphold

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of uphold was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing uphold

Rhymes for uphold

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Browse Nearby Words

uphol
uphold
upholder
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Cite this Entry

“Uphold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uphold. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

uphold

verb
up·​hold (ˌ)əp-ˈhōld How to pronounce uphold (audio)
upheld -ˈheld How to pronounce uphold (audio) ; upholding
1
: to give support to
promise to uphold the law
2
a
: to keep elevated
b
: to lift up
upholder noun

Legal Definition

uphold

transitive verb
up·​hold
upheld; upholding
: to judge valid : let stand
uphold an award
specifically : to hold constitutional
uphold the practice of having religious invocations and benedictions at high school graduation ceremonies —Sands v. Morongo Unified Sch. Dist., 809 P.2d 809 (1991)(dissent)
uphold a statute

More from Merriam-Webster on uphold

Nglish: Translation of uphold for Spanish Speakers

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