Uphold
/ˌʌpˈhəʊld/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo hold up; to lift on high; to elevate.
verbTo keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling
Sentence 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.
We have a duty to uphold the law.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Even in difficult times, officers are always trained to ____ the constitution.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is our responsibility to ____ the rules of the organization and ensure that everyone is treated fairly today.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The mournful train/ Echoed her grief, [...]/ With groans, and hands upheld, to move his mind, /Besought his pity to their helpless kind"
— 1899, John Dryden, Geoffrey Chaucer, Percival Chubb, Dryden's Palamon and Arcite, page 5:
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."
— 1769, The King James Bible, Proverbs 29:23:
"That misbegotten devil, Falconbridge, /In spite of spite, alone upholds the day."
— 1623, William Shakespeare, The Life and Death of King John, Act V, Scene iv:
"Uttering such broken ejaculations Mrs. Hart burst into a passion of tears, and only Lord Chetwynde's strong arms prevented her from falling. / He upheld her."
— 1872, James De Mille, The Cryptogram, HTML edition, The Gutenberg Project, published 2009:
"In early May [of 2025], Mr. Trump said, “I don’t know” when asked by NBC News if he had to uphold the Constitution."
— 2025 May 9, Cameron Joseph, “They’ve watched democracies fail. They see it happening under Trump.”, in The Christian Science Monitor:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Even in difficult times, officers are always trained to ____ the constitution.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is our responsibility to ____ the rules of the organization and ensure that everyone is treated fairly today.