uphold
B2Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To support or defend (a law, principle, decision, or system) against challenge or opposition.
To maintain or keep something in existence, especially a tradition, standard, or belief; to confirm a judicial decision on appeal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies active support in the face of potential violation or challenge. Stronger than 'support' as it suggests defending against opposition. In legal contexts, it specifically means a higher court agrees with a lower court's ruling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. In American legal writing, 'uphold' is slightly more frequent in appellate court decisions.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of duty, principle, and authority.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British formal and journalistic contexts related to institutions and traditions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO: The court upheld the decision.SV: It is our duty to uphold.Passive: The tradition is upheld by the community.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To uphold the banner of (e.g., freedom)”
- “To uphold one's end of the bargain.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board must uphold corporate governance standards.
Academic
The researcher has a duty to uphold ethical guidelines.
Everyday
We should all uphold the rules of the community centre.
Technical
The appellate court upheld the lower court's judgment.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The judge upheld the original ruling, dismissing the appeal.
- It is the police's role to uphold the law in our society.
- The university strives to uphold its centuries-old traditions.
American English
- The Supreme Court upheld the state law in a 5-4 decision.
- Our company vows to uphold the highest safety standards.
- He felt a strong duty to uphold his father's good name.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Good citizens uphold the rules.
- Parents uphold family traditions.
- The school must uphold its strict behaviour policy.
- The committee voted to uphold the ban on mobile phones.
- The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, stating the evidence was sound.
- As a journalist, she has a responsibility to uphold the truth.
- The regime's propaganda aimed to uphold the illusion of popular support while suppressing dissent.
- The arbitrator's task was to uphold the contractual obligations of both parties.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of HOLDing something UP high to protect and support it.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS HOLDING UP; PRINCIPLES ARE PHYSICAL STRUCTURES TO BE MAINTAINED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'поднимать' (to lift/raise). Closer to 'поддерживать', 'отстаивать', or 'утверждать' (in a legal sense).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'uphold' for physical lifting (incorrect). Using it with abstract concepts it doesn't collocate with (e.g., 'uphold a price'). Confusing 'uphold' with 'update' or 'uplift'.
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, if a higher court 'upholds' a decision, it means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Uphold' is stronger and more formal, implying active defence against challenge. 'Support' is more general and can be passive.
It is relatively formal. In informal speech, people might use 'stand by', 'stick to', or 'keep up' instead.
Primarily, but it can be neutral. One can 'uphold a guilty verdict' or 'uphold an unfair law', which are not inherently positive actions.
'Overturn', 'reverse', or 'quash'.