uphold
Uphold (verb) means to support or maintain something, such as a law, principle, or standard. Example: “The judge upheld the original ruling.”
How to use uphold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep something standing, valid, or in force — a decision, a value, or a physical structure.
Word forms
upheld past tense, upholden past tense, Upholds plural, upholds singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The organization works to _____ human rights.
Etymology
From Middle English upholden, from up- + hold.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “uphold” mean?
The word “uphold” means to support or maintain something, such as a law, principle, or standard. In plain terms, to keep something standing, valid, or in force — a decision, a value, or a physical structure.
How do you pronounce “uphold”?
“Uphold” is pronounced uhp-HOHLD (/ˌʌpˈhəʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “uphold” in a sentence?
Here is “uphold” used in a sentence: “The organization works to uphold human rights.”
What is another word for “uphold”?
Words with a similar meaning to “uphold” include vindicate.
What part of speech is “uphold”?
“Uphold” is a verb.
Where does the word “uphold” come from?
The word “uphold” comes from Middle English. From Middle English upholden, from up- + hold.
Is “uphold” a common word?
“Uphold” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “uphold” have?
“Uphold” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to support or maintain something, such as a law, principle, or standard.
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