uphold

/ˈʌpˌhoʊld/

/əpˈhʌʊld/

Other forms: upheld; upholding; upholds

When you uphold something, you stick up for or support it. Police officers are paid to uphold the law, and crazy Elvis fans uphold their belief that he's still alive out there somewhere.

If you reverse the two parts of this word, you get hold up. And that's exactly what upholding is: holding up or supporting an idea or practice. You might uphold your dog's innocence, even though it's pretty obvious he dug up the neighbor's flower bed. When America fought for independence, we upheld the idea of fair representation. When you uphold something, you're taking a stand for it.

Definitions of uphold

1. verb

   stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals
   type of:

   defend, fend for, support

   argue or speak in defense of
2. verb

   support against an opponent
   “The appellate court upheld the verdict”

   synonyms: maintain

   types:

   justify, vindicate

   show to be right by providing justification or proof

   excuse, explain

   serve as a reason or cause or justification of

   legitimate

   show or affirm to be just and legitimate

   type of:

   confirm, reassert

   strengthen or make more firm
3. verb

   keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
   synonyms: bear on, carry on, continue, preserve

   continue, go forward, proceed

   move ahead; travel onward in time or space

   continue, go along, go on, keep, proceed

   continue a certain state, condition, or activity

   types:

   re-start, restart, resume

   take up or begin anew

   hang in, hang on, hold on, persevere, persist

   be persistent, refuse to stop

   perpetuate

   cause to continue or prevail

   keep up, prolong, sustain

   lengthen or extend in duration or space

   mummify

   preserve while making lifeless

   obstinate

   persist stubbornly

   ask for it, ask for trouble

   persist with actions or an attitude despite the probability that it will cause trouble

   plug, plug away

   persist in working hard

   follow, stick to, stick with

   keep to

   continue, keep, keep on, retain

   allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature

   eternize

   cause to continue indefinitely

   type of:

   hold, keep, maintain

   keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"