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uphold

[uhp-hohld]

verb (used with object), -held, -hold·ing.

to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism: He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.

to keep up or keep from sinking; support: Stout columns upheld the building's heavy roof. Her faith upheld her in that time of sadness.

to lift upward; raise: The pilgrims upheld their eyes and thanked heaven for their safe journey.

British.

to upholster.

to maintain in good condition; take care of.

Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English up holden. See up-, hold

Related forms

up·hold·er, noun

Synonyms
1. See support.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Uphold is one of our favorite verbs.

So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:

to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.

to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

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Example Sentences

The courts should uphold a mandate that was crafted to comply.

One cannot realistically uphold two contradictory opinions at the same time.

Freed from the need to uphold a gold-price parity, these countries could lower interest rates and so stimulate spending.

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The courts should uphold a mandate that was crafted to comply.

One cannot realistically uphold two contradictory opinions at the same time.

Freed from the need to uphold a gold-price parity, these countries could lower interest rates and so stimulate spending.

The best thing you can do is to be vigilant and to keep pressure on the government to uphold rigorous security standards.

Lowell has formulated, and the plausible arguments he has advanced to uphold that theory.

As official representatives of their governments, diplomats were obliged to uphold the policies of their countries.

Results from a second experiment uphold the observation that neutrinos are moving faster than the speed of light.

The justices appeared strongly inclined to uphold a law that withholds federal grants from schools that do not allow recruiters.

Another expert, however, predicted that the justices would uphold the copyright restoration.

Secular countries are sworn to uphold freedom of belief by not endorsing any one particular belief over another.

Both also loosen the restrictions on a court to uphold a gag order.

The group also found that public officials were not being penalized for failing to uphold the laws on the books.

And education with character means giving teachers the protection they need to uphold standards.

The court had previously ruled gay marriage legal, but was obliged to uphold the voters' wishes.

Lawyers in the case said it was the first ruling by any state supreme court to uphold such contracts.

Professors are likely to be expected to uphold these principles.

London's restaurant pioneers had no gastronomic tradition to uphold.

In these times of shrinking cultural budgets, the city must uphold its commitment to maintaining its historical monuments.

Racism and bigotry appear to be the slurs used by those who don't agree with the folks who want to uphold the law.

And so for the time being, peace is exactly what it'll uphold.

The marriage contract is signed, but the couple makes a conscious choice each day to uphold their commitment and vows.

Reaching a bargain with the criminals would require bosses who were in a position to uphold their side of a bargain:.

COLLAPSE

Collins

World English Dictionary

uphold (ʌpˈhəʊld)

—vb , -holds, -holding, -held
1.	to maintain, affirm, or defend against opposition or challenge
2.	to give moral support or inspiration to
3.	rare to support physically
4.	to lift up

up'holder

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

uphold

early 13c., "support, sustain," from up + hold (v.). Cf. O.Fris. upholda, M.Du. ophouden, Ger. aufhalten.

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Matching Quote

"The rebel can never find peace. He knows what is good and, despite himself, does evil. The value which supports him is never given to him once and for all—he must fight to uphold it, unceasingly."

-Albert Camus

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