uphold meaning and examples

Meaning

Uphold means to support, maintain, or defend something, especially a principle, law, decision, or standard. It suggests keeping something valid, respected, or in force.

Grammar and Usage

• Part of speech: Verb (transitive)

• Forms: uphold – upheld – upheld

• Typical structures:

  • uphold + law / principle / decision / right
  • uphold the tradition / constitution / values

Examples of sentence structures:

• The court upheld the decision of the lower court.
• We must uphold the rights of every citizen.

Common Phrases

• uphold justice – to maintain fairness and legality
• uphold the law – to ensure laws are respected and enforced
• uphold human rights – to protect fundamental freedoms
• uphold a tradition – to continue or preserve customs

Collocations

Examples

1. The Supreme Court upheld the ruling made by the district court.
2. She has always upheld the principles of honesty and fairness.
3. The organization works to uphold human rights worldwide.
4. We must uphold our commitment to equality.
5. The judge upheld the company’s appeal.
6. They strive to uphold traditional values in their community.
7. The school aims to uphold a high standard of education.
8. The board upheld the disciplinary action after reviewing the case.

Synonyms or Related

• maintain
• defend
• support
• sustain
• preserve
• confirm

Antonym

• overturn
• reject
• deny
• abandon