1
as in defends
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lifts
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upholds
If the Supreme Court upholds the order, Cruz said, families are bracing for the possibility that the government could attempt to revisit the citizenship of children born during that interim period—a scenario that would almost certainly prompt further legal challenges.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
Luvme exclusively offers three tiers, beginning at 3-star and above, because tiers 1 and 2 fall below the quality and performance standards this brand upholds.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
If the Supreme Court upholds the order, the justices could also set a new effective date.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Monday's Supreme Court ruling Monday’s decision upholds a lower court ruling that denied DNA testing of the belt.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
The Giants need a hierarchy, a leadership group of veterans that upholds a standard, one voice from the head coach on down that does not tolerate rookies, second-year players and guys not on the field putting the rest of the group in the public eye for the wrong reasons.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
If the city upholds QuikTrip’s permit, Schaffer said Publication Printers could choose to pursue the matter in state district court.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Wood questioned what kind of example Board members set when they are not held to the same rigorous standards to which the district upholds its students.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Chait has extensive experience presenting to the Board of Education and unfailingly upholds the administration’s perspective.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Nik Popli, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
Luvme exclusively offers three tiers, beginning at 3-star and above, because tiers 1 and 2 fall below the quality and performance standards this brand upholds.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
If the Supreme Court upholds the order, the justices could also set a new effective date.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Monday's Supreme Court ruling Monday’s decision upholds a lower court ruling that denied DNA testing of the belt.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
The Giants need a hierarchy, a leadership group of veterans that upholds a standard, one voice from the head coach on down that does not tolerate rookies, second-year players and guys not on the field putting the rest of the group in the public eye for the wrong reasons.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
If the city upholds QuikTrip’s permit, Schaffer said Publication Printers could choose to pursue the matter in state district court.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Wood questioned what kind of example Board members set when they are not held to the same rigorous standards to which the district upholds its students.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Chait has extensive experience presenting to the Board of Education and unfailingly upholds the administration’s perspective.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds
Verb
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For people living along the coast, sand also defends against intense storms and sea level rise fueled by climate change.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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Prosecutor defends plea agreement Two men accused of firing shots after the 2024 Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally are still awaiting trial.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Iran war hasn’t yet taken on the coloration of an economic threat, although that bulks large on the horizon if the disruption of oil supplies created by the closing of the Strait of Hormuz continues or tightens or the Middle East energy infrastructure sustains more damage.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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The answer is that the chlorophyll pigment dominant in green leaves is more efficient at triggering photosynthesis — the process by which plants make the sugar that sustains them — than the pigments dominant in darker leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the sweet video, Steinfeld lifts her black sweatshirt to reveal her baby bump, which her husband then kisses and cradles; the two frolic in the snow looking so in love.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
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About halfway through the video, Simpson wins the fight, lifts up his opponent and collects his money.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What is, in most cases, an individual choice made by adults does not, by itself, constitute a clinical problem that justifies federal correction.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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The realist view is that NASA wants to fly a nuclear reactor as soon as possible, and the Mars launch window justifies the aggressive development schedule (and commensurate funding) to appropriators.—
David W. Brown,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Norris supports paper ballots instead of voting machines, according to his campaign website.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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More noteworthy initiatives include the hotel’s green roof, which supports urban biodiversity, and its five-year Habitat Management Plan, run by a team of ecologists.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When working, pick tools that feel good to use, and pay attention to how your schedule raises or lowers stress.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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Warm water raises skin temperature, and the core temperature drop after stepping out signals the brain to release melatonin.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The long experience and tight teamwork of unionized camera crews, art departments, and so forth from production to production both maintains high professional standards and reinforces long-standing professional norms.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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The Tribune maintains editorial control over assignments and content.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The aircraft is a variation of the Air Force fighter jet that carries a pilot and weapons system officer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2026
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The aircraft is a variation of the Air Force fighter jet that carries a pilot and a weapons system officer.—
Sam Mednick,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholds. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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