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
This upholds an earlier injunction from Jackson to ensure the agency would continue to exist as congressionally mandated, and to stop efforts to shutter the CFPB, including through layoffs.
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Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
If the Court upholds the rules, the existing anti-corruption framework remains intact.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
The Justice Department will receive time to argue in favor of both state laws during oral arguments in January, hoping to notch another legal win with transgender policies via a ruling that upholds the state laws.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Nov. 2025
If no claims are filed, or if the court upholds the government’s action, the products can be condemned and destroyed.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025
From watches to real estate to automobiles and beyond, Robb Report’s writers and editors scour the world of luxury to highlight the very best, and the wine club upholds the same rigorous standards.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2025
The Johns Hopkins Police Department upholds the highest standards of constitutional, accountable law enforcement, working to address the root causes of crime and establish community trust.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
There’s a reason why everyone from nurses to marathon runners upholds Hoka as the gold standard in comfy walking shoes.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
The law upholds that commitment.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upholds
Verb
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Electronic Frontier Foundation, which describes itself as a nonprofit that defends digital privacy, free speech and innovation, previously said the bill is too vague in defining what counts as negligence by a social media company and could result in broad censorship.—
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In a 2025 prison interview included in the documentary, Young defends his treatments and denies making anyone sick or discouraging his patients from seeing their doctors.—
Verb
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That is the creative energy that crosses everything together, that sustains and fosters growth and enhances everything in life.—
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The electorate of this country often embraces the pendulum effect — and that chance of a swing in our political fortunes sustains my optimism for a future of peace and goodwill towards men.—
Verb
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A lot of volume shampoos have left my hair feeling heavy and greasy at the root, but this one lifts without the weight.—
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Practical courage lifts your finances as energetic Mars squares vulnerable Chiron in your 2nd House of Accounting, guiding you to spend wisely while respecting personal values.—
Verb
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Satisfy gets a lot of flack for its prices, but this running jacket justifies the price tag thanks to its effective modularity and (extremely) lightweight design.—
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While there are legitimate concerns throughout the Midwest about future reliability due to new data centers and their substantial power consumption, there is no looming emergency that justifies the administration’s action here.—
Verb
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Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care through techniques like kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact), which helps stabilize vital signs and supports development.—
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Beyond still photography, the sensor supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second.—
Verb
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That extraordinary footage, along with video shot by bystanders and a 3D model created by CNN of the confrontation, shows Good and her wife challenging ICE officers – but also raises new questions about Ross’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.—
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In a statement, Stanford student and Drop the Charges organizer Mark Allen Cu said the case raises broader questions about free speech and dissent on campus.—
Verb
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
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Gonzales has pleaded not guilty and his legal team maintains he's being scapegoated.—
Verb
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Yasmin Espinoza, whose grandmother was deported despite being born in Arizona, now carries her passport everywhere.—
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Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 102 rushing yards on 24 carries.—
Cite this Entry
“Upholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upholds. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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