Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for uphold. Search instead for uphold/2.
Definitions

uphold

[uhp-hohld] / ʌpˈhoʊld /


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:

Uefa, Europe's football governing body, said the decision not to uphold Balogun's ban had "crossed a red line", branding it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable".

From BBC Jul. 18, 2026

Prevention happens not only through laws and prosecutions, but also through the values communities choose to uphold.

From Salon Jul. 18, 2026

"Each time that the other party has failed to meet its obligations, we did not uphold ours," he added.

From Barron's Jul. 13, 2026

He was a leading figure of the “Young England” movement that advocated for patricians to uphold a common good against business or political interests.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 12, 2026

You certainly wouldn’t expect them to uphold their 80 percent clip.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

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

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

"The Court of Justice dismisses Lufthansa's appeal and thus upholds the General Court's ruling to annul the decision by which the Commission had approved the recapitalisation of Lufthansa," it said in a statement.

From Barron's Apr. 23, 2026

“It strengthens the powers of Civilian Oversight boards and Inspectors General and upholds our subpoena authority while also showcasing the strong public interest in robust, effective oversight of sheriffs, their departments, and their operations.”

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 1, 2026

We upholds the family’s honor, and we never speaks ill of them — though Professor Dumbledore told Dobby he does not insist upon this.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

If there is a will, he will likely have named an executor to wrap up his affairs, pay any remaining debts and ensure his wishes are upheld.

From MarketWatch Jul. 17, 2026

Holding that “jurisdiction” plainly means “the power of the United States to govern those within its territory,” Roberts upheld the citizenship of nearly all children born in the U.S.

From Slate Jul. 15, 2026

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

Katniss has upheld her side of the bargain, and so shall we.”

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Belgium’s foreign minister, Maxime Prévot, who is a former soccer referee, said he had always been committed to upholding the rules and ensuring fair decisions.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 6, 2026

The father added there was "too much focus on cost savings, rather than upholding the principles of the system".

From BBC May 20, 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

FCC, the landmark 1969 decision upholding broad federal authority over broadcast fairness rules based on spectrum scarcity.

From Salon May 13, 2026

The Patronus, he was sure, was Umbridge’s, and it glowed brightly because she was so happy here, in her element, upholding the twisted laws she had helped to write.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling




Vocabulary lists containing uphold


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training