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

Their projects will also become part of the organization’s permanent collection, furthering its commitment to uplifting misrepresented voices. —Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025

Barger said Trump’s visit would uplift the local community suffering from the wildfire’s damage. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025

Noun

The polyethylene also creates greater resiliency against uplift. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024

But through it all The New Yorker has operated with a sense of mission—to deliver the best reporting, insight, and, on occasion, even a bit of a well-deserved uplift to you, our most dedicated readers. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024

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