UPHOLDS Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

upholds

verb

present tense third-person singular of uphold

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sustains

to hold up or serve as a foundation for an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of upholds In February, President Pamela Whitten and the board of trustees supported and adopted the Chicago Principles, a set of guidelines regarding how the university upholds its free speech environment. — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026 The letter was also sent to Harry and Meghan’s team and upholds Queen Elizabeth’s wishes when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in 2020. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 8 Sep. 2026 The ruling Wednesday by a Cole County judge upholds a decision by Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who had blocked the amendment from the November ballot despite thousands of petition signatures for it. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 If the District Court upholds the denial, your application is considered exhausted. — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 21 July 2026 For many, this new-build option upholds preferential aesthetics while satisfying practical needs and eliminating restoration headaches. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026 The ruling essentially upholds similar bans enacted in 25 other states. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The ruling upholds laws in 30 states that allow at least some ballots to arrive after Election Day, including ballots from military voters and Americans who live overseas. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 One ruling upholds a landmark case dealing with press freedom. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds

Verb

The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the country.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026
Different views on the topic Hilton defends the ad as a humorous, provocative way to reach Californians who are dissatisfied with the state’s direction but might not ordinarily consider voting Republican.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of defends

Verb

Her work reflects a deep commitment to standing with the people whose labor sustains communities across California.

— The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
The lake creates a temperate microclimate that sustains one of the country’s most productive fruit-growing regions—and makes this the best possible place to forget a packed lunch.

— Mike Norton, Midwest Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of sustains

Verb

Accessibility Very good—two street-level entrances have ramps in place and are wheelchair-accessible, and lifts access all floors of the hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
When the dealer lifts the top card slightly to check for a blackjack, a partner with good eyesight can catch a glimpse and signal to the player.

— Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of lifts

Verb

The fact that hunting is a season — and not a year-round activity — supports this.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Though the pipeline hasn’t transported gas to Germany since 2022, the country’s far-right AfD supports resuming flows, which could allow US investors to profit.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of supports

Verb

The organization, created in 1961 by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, receives no government funding, and raises money through private donations and sales of retail merchandise.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
The necropsy indicating chronic gastrointestinal disease in two of the dead belugas certainly raises questions about their condition before transport.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026