verb
uphold
uhp-HOHLD
verb
1
To support or maintain something, such as a law, principle, or standard.
"The judge upheld the original ruling."
"The organization works to uphold human rights."
2
To physically hold something up or keep it from falling.
"The old pillars uphold the roof of the temple."
How to Use Uphold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep something standing, valid, or in force — a decision, a value, or a physical structure.
Common pairings
uphold the law
uphold a decision
uphold standards
Word Forms
upheld past tense, upholden past tense, Upholds plural, upholds singular
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The organization works to _____ human rights.
Etymology
From Middle English upholden, from up- + hold.