Uphold
up-HOHLD
/ʌpˈhəʊld/
To confirm or support (something which has been questioned); to maintain or affirm.
In legal and ethical contexts, 'uphold' means to maintain or confirm a decision, principle, or law, especially when it has been challenged. It implies active support and enforcement.
The story behind the word. The word 'uphold' comes from the Old English 'upphealdan,' a combination of 'upp' (up) and 'healdan' (to hold). Its original meaning was quite literal: 'to hold up, to support.' Over time, it gained its figurative sense of supporting or maintaining something abstract, like a law, a decision, or a principle, especially when it's being challenged. It's a powerful image of keeping something from falling or failing.
Word relationships
- Maintain: To keep something in existence or at an existing level.
- Sustain: To strengthen or support physically or mentally; to continue for an extended period.
- Affirm: To state as a fact; to assert strongly and publicly.
- Support: To give assistance to; to bear all or part of the weight of.
- Overturn: To reverse a decision or verdict.
- Repeal: To revoke or annul (a law or act).
- Violate: To break or fail to comply with (a rule or formal agreement).
Word family
- upholder (noun): a person who upholds or supports something.
Collocations
- uphold a decision
- uphold the law
- uphold standards
- uphold rights
- uphold justice
Example sentences
- "The Supreme Court voted to uphold the lower court's decision, affirming the constitutionality of the new law." Legal rulings.
- "It is crucial for leaders to uphold the highest ethical standards to maintain public trust." Moral principles.
- "The community strives to uphold its cultural traditions, passing them down through generations." Maintaining traditions.
Memory hook
To 'UPHOLD' a law is to 'HOLD' it 'UP' and keep it strong. HOLD it UP.
When not to use
Do not use 'uphold' for simply 'holding up' a physical object. It refers to abstract concepts like laws, decisions, or standards.
Fun facts
- Many English verbs formed with 'up-' (like 'uphold,' 'upbraid,' 'upstage') have a sense of elevation or assertion.
Related words
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