uphold
Usage
What are other ways to say uphold?
To uphold applies especially to supporting or backing another, as in a statement, opinion, or belief: to uphold the rights of a minority. To support is to hold up or add strength to, literally or figuratively: The columns support the roof. To maintain is to support so as to preserve intact: to maintain an attitude of defiance. To sustain, a rather elevated word, suggests completeness and adequacy in supporting: The court sustained his claim.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship is a real win, and it deserves to be celebrated.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
When it comes to parental behaviour the LTA says like any sport "there are occasions when a small minority of parents do not uphold the standards of behaviour expected".
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Bayer CEO Bill Anderson said that that the settlement proposal “doesn’t take away from the truth, a truth that scientists and regulators around the planet continue to uphold, that glyphosate is safe and essential.”
From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026
“We are committed to protecting the integrity of our systems, and will work constructively with the CMA to ensure that we can uphold the high quality of Search for our users.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026
It seemed a trivial thing for the state’s highest education official to spend time doing, but Kirby felt compelled to uphold the integrity of the no-pass, no-play rule.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Gilles Bouleau, the news anchor, repeatedly pressed her on what she will do if France’s high court upholds the appellate ruling and requires her to wear an electronic bracelet—an unprecedented scenario.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
The decision upholds a turn-back policy that began in 2016 as an emergency response to a surge of Haitian immigrants at the San Ysidro border crossing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
Instead of blanket-dismissing tech entrepreneurs or wholesale manifesting a god in the machine, Pope Leo has sought a careful, studied, moral middle ground: one that encourages technological progress but upholds human dignity above all.
From Slate ● May 28, 2026
South Korea's foreign ministry said Japan's defence policy "should ideally be carried out in a manner that upholds the spirit of the Peace Constitution while contributing to peace and stability in the region".
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026
“Vegetables are good for you; your mother says so too. Have some more,” she insists, until Father intervenes and upholds my right to refuse a dish I don’t like.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
In 1898, the Supreme Court upheld the rule of citizenship at birth in the case of Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese parents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
Three of seven complaints the family made to the police watchdog were upheld.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
That judgment was upheld on appeal, but its enforcement remains suspended.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
When Google challenged the original penalty in the EU’s general court, judges in the lower tribunal lowered the fine but upheld the ruling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
The ban was upheld everywhere in the country.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Disraeli’s patrician conservatism aimed to unite rich and poor while upholding the common good.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
By upholding automatic birthright citizenship, the court prevented that outcome.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
The executive producers include two daughters of Jacob Zuma - South Africa's former president and a proud polygamist who is greatly respected by his supporters for upholding his cultural and traditional Zulu beliefs.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
“Our responsibility goes beyond adopting regulations — we are committed to upholding them by identifying violations and holding companies accountable for meeting emissions standards.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
Ruby appeared in an arch of the arcade, looking like one more orchid in the forest, her slim form a stem upholding a bloom of riotous hair.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Vocabulary lists containing uphold
Beowulf vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Ghost Boys
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
