uphold

CEFRB2

/ˌʌpˈhəʊld/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To support a rule, decision, or principle.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling

Examples

  • As a public official you have sworn an oath to uphold and defend the constitution.

  • Many people uphold the stance that 95% of DNA is junk.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To support by approval or encouragement; to vindicate; to confirm (something which has been questioned)

  2. To hold up; to lift on high; to elevate.

More examples

In context

  • We have a duty to uphold the law.

  • Wednesday June 02, 2021, Has the Northern Ireland Protocol undermined the United Kingdom? Similarly, both the Government and the EU argued at the time the deal was agreed that they were upholding the Good Friday Agreement by implementing the Protocol.

  • A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Even in difficult times, officers are always trained to blank the constitution.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English upholden, equivalent to up- + hold. Compare Dutch ophouden (“to stop, cease, hold up”), German aufhalten (“to stop, halt, detain”). Compare also Middle Low German upholt, Old Norse upphald (“uphold, support”).