Synonyms of uphold

uphold

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈhōld 

1

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

• defend
• maintain
• justify
• support
• affirm
• advocate
• assert
• proclaim
• stick up for
• stand up for
• confirm
• vindicate
• insist
• discuss
• espouse
• plead
• contend
• emphasize
• argue
• profess
• claim
• champion
• state
• protest
• warrant
• aver
• underline
• avow
• debate
• underscore
• avouch
• stress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdraw
• abandon
• forsake
• retract
• take back
• reverse
• switch
• recant
• abjure
• refute
• disprove
• rebut
• controvert

2

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

• sustain
• carry
• support
• bolster
• stay
• underpin
• buttress
• bear
• undergird
• brace
• shore (up)
• prop (up)
• underlie
• steady
• truss

3

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

• lift
• raise
• elevate
• uplift
• hoist
• heighten
• take up
• boost
• heave
• hike
• up
• pick up
• crane
• heft
• rise
• ascend
• perk (up)
• jack (up)
• upraise
• mount
• upend
• rear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• lower
• fall
• descend
• push
• slip
• bear
• plunge
• dip
• press
• depress
• pitch
• sink
• submerge

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

Recent Examples of uphold

Islam, like Christianity, upholds the dignity of every human being and encourages dialogue and reconciliation over conflict. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

The Supreme Court upheld this arrangement as legal and constitutional. —Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

During the Senate debate, Democrats argued that voting for the map was a violation of the oath of office lawmakers took to uphold the constitution. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

The Florida Supreme Court agreed and upheld DeSantis’ map last summer. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026