UPHOLD Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'uphold' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of uphold are advocate , back , champion , and support . While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," uphold implies extended support given to something attacked. // upheld the legitimacy of the military action

Q: When is 'advocate' a more appropriate choice than 'uphold'?

While the synonyms advocate and uphold are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading. // advocated prison reform

Q: When is it sensible to use 'back' instead of 'uphold'?

The meanings of back and uphold largely overlap; however, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling. // refusing to back the call for sanctions

Q: When might 'champion' be a better fit than 'uphold'?

The synonyms champion and uphold are sometimes interchangeable, but champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause. // championed the rights of children

Q: In what contexts can 'support' take the place of 'uphold'?

While in some cases nearly identical to uphold , support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given. // supports waterfront development

uphold

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈhōld

Definition of uphold next

as in to defend

to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections determined to uphold her views in the face of all challenges

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to sustain

to hold up or serve as a foundation for an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position worshippers upheld their joined hands and sang the praises of the Lord

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word uphold different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of uphold are advocate, back, champion, and support. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

When is advocate a more appropriate choice than uphold?

While the synonyms advocate and uphold are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

When is it sensible to use back instead of uphold?

The meanings of back and uphold largely overlap; however, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When might champion be a better fit than uphold?

The synonyms champion and uphold are sometimes interchangeable, but champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

In what contexts can support take the place of uphold?

While in some cases nearly identical to uphold, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of uphold If upheld, that edict could end life-saving work combating famine, fighting disease and promoting democracy in nations from Azerbaijan to Zambia. —

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025 The City Council unanimously upheld the Planning Commission’s decision. —

Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025 In navigating these frameworks, our focus remains on upholding our responsibilities while supporting our students. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025 This move was a testament to her commitment to upholding her values in every aspect of the organization. —

Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for uphold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uphold

Verb

The visiting Catalans regularly strolled through the first line of pressure that night — with Vinicius Jr and Mbappe unconvincing in defending from the front in a 4-4-2 formation before Barca overloaded the midfield with their technical, creative players.

— Thom Harris, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
The fast food giant faced immediate backlash, leading to McDonald’s Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Desiree Ralls-Morrison defending the company in a LinkedIn post.

— Russell Leung, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025