upheld 1 of 2

adjective

as in uplifted

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upheld

2 of 2

verb

past tense of uphold
1
as in defended
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
2
as in sustained
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 lifted
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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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 upheld
Adjective
In the accompanying photo, Fleetwood and his new bride, Elizabeth Jordan lean into one another, cheekily posing behind Fleetwood's upheld fedora. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026 Guest conductor Edward Gardner, principal conductor of the London Philharmonic, was obviously frustrated when even his upheld hands couldn’t stop the applause. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
The court has previously upheld this lethal injection protocol against similar challenges. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 The United States upheld the underlying security and economic order that made these offers possible. — Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 In July 2026, a judge upheld the zoning appeals board decision barring solar manufacturing in light industrial zones. — Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026 That was the call on the field, and it was upheld on review to seal the Hurricanes’ win. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 In a June ruling, the Supreme Court upheld states' authority to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, provided they were cast on time and meet state deadlines. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Many courts have upheld the use of automatic license plate readers, but a federal judge in Oklahoma recently ruled a deputy’s warrantless use of Flock’s search function violated the Fourth Amendment. — John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 15 Oct. 2026 That decision, upheld on appeal, put the onus on the Continuum of Care, an amorphous entity with a board and open membership that had long functioned as an appendage of LAHSA but actually had the statutory power to hire or fire the agency. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 An appeals court subsequently threw out the massive financial penalty but upheld the fraud finding. — Sagar Meghani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheld
  1. uplifted
  2. defended
  3. sustained
  4. lifted
  5. raised
  6. justified
  7. carried
  8. elevated
Adjective
  • Located within an uplifted section of oceanic crust known as an ophiolite, the Bulqizë reservoir generates its own continuous supply of clean energy.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This team’s confidence needs to remain uplifted, but that’s going to be monumental task to manage if the blowouts begin the pile up.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of uplifted
Verb
  • The government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, however, has defended the response of rescue teams.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • City officials defended the report as a routine effort to inform council members about infrastructure investments.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of defended
Verb
  • The Nordic communal goal is a focus on holistic well-being that can be sustained over the long term by every individual, from professional athletes in their prime to elders.
    — Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The stock market is a function of more than presidential politics, as growth in tech stocks has sustained the broader market.
    — Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of sustained
Verb
  • Klara learns Josie’s older sister, Sal, was lifted, got sick, then died.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
  • For the closing set, according to a photo posted on X and various videos, the legendary rocker was lifted onto the stage while seated on a black throne adorned with skulls and topped with a black bat.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of lifted
Adjective
  • Like the full flagships, the FE is getting a raised camera bump similar to what’s been installed on the Galaxy Z Fold series for a couple of generations now.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of raised
Verb
  • The song delivered on the hype produced by The X Factor, and justified the screams that One Direction had already invited with their performances of cover songs.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Investors are worried about whether their high prices are justified.
    — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of justified
Verb
  • During captive-carry testing, engineers can assess equipment carried by an aircraft before proceeding to more demanding flight demonstrations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The starting five that carried Atlanta to the playoffs last season — Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, CJ McCollum and Onyeka Okongwu — returns.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of carried
Verb
  • As expected, Miami elevated kicker Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Wembanyama made a three-point play inside, Julian Champagnie hit a corner 3, and Wembanyama elevated to convert a pass from Stephon Castle into dunk while getting fouled.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of elevated

Browse Nearby Words

upheaving
upheld
uphill
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Cite this Entry

“Upheld.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheld. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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