uplift

1 of 2

verb

up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift 

uplifted; uplifting; uplifts

transitive verb

1

: to lift up : elevate

especially : to cause (a portion of the earth's surface) to rise above adjacent areas

2

: to improve the spiritual, social, or intellectual condition of

intransitive verb

: rise

uplifter noun

uplift

2 of 2

noun

up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift 

1

: an act, process, result, or cause of uplifting: such as

a(1)

: the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface

(2)

: an uplifted mass of land

b

: a bettering of a condition especially spiritually, socially, or intellectually

c(1)

: influences intended to uplift

(2)

: a social movement to improve especially morally or culturally

2

: a brassiere designed to hold the breasts up

Synonyms

Verb

• boost
• crane
• elevate
• heave
• heft
• heighten
• hike
• hoist
• jack (up)
• lift
• perk (up)
• pick up
• raise
• take up
• up
• uphold
• upraise

Examples of uplift in a Sentence

Verb

music that uplifts the soul

geologic forces that uplifted the mountains

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The 50 West Soft Pretzel Double Cheeseburger uplifts the smash burger experience, stacking two patties, American cheese, and Funacho cheese, all cradled in a pretzel bun with crinkle-cut fries on the side. —Nasha Smith, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter highlights the history of African American influence in the making of American Western culture, uplifting country music, cowboy life, and entrepreneurship in the Wild West. —Jaha Nailah Avery, Essence, 27 Mar. 2025

Noun

But his search for new forms never yielded a sense of personal uplift or fulfillment. —Christopher Byrd, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025

This includes $300 million in capex savings, $350 million in opex reductions and $144 million in revenue uplift. —Raghav Sahgal, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

uplift

1 of 2 verb

up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift 

1

: to lift up : elevate

2

: to improve the spiritual, mental, or social condition of

uplift

2 of 2 noun

up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift 

1

: an act, process, or result of uplifting

especially : the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface

2

: moral or social improvement or a movement to make such improvement