uphold

verb

up·​hold (ˌ)əp-ˈhōld 

upheld (ˌ)əp-ˈheld  ; upholding

transitive verb

1

a

: to give support to

b

: to support against an opponent

2

a

: to keep elevated

b

: to lift up

upholder noun

Synonyms

• defend
• justify
• maintain
• support

Choose the Right Synonym for uphold

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

During this same period, the dean of admissions for each program or school must sign a public statement after each admissions cycle certifying that these rules have been upheld. —Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

For example, Vampire Stack upholds his promise to Smoke about letting Sammie live out his life in peace. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025

Penman appealed the 30-day period to the Appellate Court of Maryland, which upheld the Harford County Circuit Court’s ruling. —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2025

Wines to try: Revelation by Goose Chardonnay 23 Revelation by Goose Ridge Rose 23 Revelation by Goose Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 23 Farther afield in New Zealand, the Marris family at Marisco Family Vineyards is upholding three generations of producing wines through dedicated environmental stewardship. —Lana Bortolot, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing uphold

• uphold the decision

Rhymes for uphold

• ahold
• behold
• billfold
• blindfold
• cajoled
• consoled
• controlled
• cotswold
• eightfold
• enfold
• enrolled
• extolled

Kids Definition

uphold

verb

up·​hold (ˌ)əp-ˈhōld 

upheld -ˈheld  ; 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