upheld
C1Formal, Official, Legal
Definition
Meaning
The past tense and past participle of 'uphold,' meaning to support or maintain (a decision, principle, law, etc.) against opposition.
To confirm a previous decision (especially in a legal or official context); to keep something in its current or original state; to provide moral or practical support for someone or something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in contexts of authority, judgement, and principle. Implies active defence or confirmation against a challenge. Often collocates with abstract nouns like 'decision', 'ruling', 'principle', 'value'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use it predominantly in legal, administrative, and formal contexts.
Connotations
Connotes authority, correctness, and tradition. Slightly more common in British legal reporting due to the naming of courts (e.g., 'the decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal').
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties within comparable registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] upheld [Object (decision/ruling)][Object (decision/ruling)] was upheld by [Subject][Subject] upheld [Object (principle/value)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to uphold the law”
- “to uphold a tradition”
- “to uphold one's end of the bargain (less common with past tense)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board upheld the CEO's strategic decision despite shareholder pressure.
Academic
The researcher's ethical framework was upheld by the university's review panel.
Everyday
My parents always upheld the rule that we finish homework before watching TV.
Technical
The engineer's safety report was upheld by the subsequent investigation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The High Court upheld the employment tribunal's ruling.
- She upheld the family's honour with her actions.
American English
- The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision.
- The committee upheld the ethical standards of the profession.
adverb
British English
- He stood there, hand upheld, waiting for silence.
- The banner was held upheld for the entire march.
American English
- She walked proudly, head upheld.
- The trophy was carried upheld through the crowd.
adjective
British English
- The long-upheld tradition finally came to an end.
- An upheld objection halted the proceedings.
American English
- The long-upheld policy was under review.
- With his upheld hand, the referee signaled a penalty.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher upheld the school's rules.
- The manager upheld the company's decision.
- The judge upheld the original verdict on appeal.
- Their family has always upheld certain traditional values.
- The international court upheld the charges against the former official.
- Despite public criticism, the committee upheld its stringent ethical guidelines.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a judge holding a gavel UP HIGH. The decision is HELD up for all to see – it has been UPHELD.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS HOLDING UP (to uphold a principle is to hold it up, preventing it from falling).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'поддерживать' in casual physical contexts (e.g., 'upheld the box'). It is for abstract support. 'Upheld' is not 'повышенный' (raised/increased).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a present tense (e.g., 'I uphold the decision yesterday'). It is only past/participle. Confusing with 'held up' (delayed or robbed).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'upheld' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while very common in legal and official settings, it can be used for any situation where a principle, decision, or standard is supported or maintained (e.g., 'upheld family traditions').
'Upheld' specifically implies maintaining or confirming something, especially against challenge, and is more formal. 'Supported' is broader and more neutral.
No, 'upheld' is the past tense and past participle. The present tense is 'uphold' (e.g., 'I uphold this principle').
It is the irregular past form of 'uphold' (uphold - upheld - upheld), similar to 'hold - held - held'.