Uphold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Uphold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining or supporting a principle, law, or standard. Example: "It is our duty to uphold the values of integrity and honesty in our organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The report concluded there was "no credible evidence" to uphold complaints by Duggan's family that police had relocated the firearm in the sock, that officer V53 did not fire live shots in the belief Duggan was pointing a firearm at him, and that he did not use lawful force.

The Guardian

"The conduct displayed by these individuals was appalling, deeply troubling, and did not meet the high standards that all of our sworn police officers vow to uphold," the statement said.

The Guardian

The Riddell principles were easy to uphold in 13 of the last 15 elections.

The Guardian

Thatcher told MacGregor in March 1984, according to the documents: "It was essential to stiffen the resolve of chief constables to ensure that they fulfilled their duty to uphold the law".

The Guardian

He called on Moscow to uphold an earlier cease-fire agreement, which calls for withdrawing its support for the separatists and persuading them to release hostages.

The Guardian

In later remarks, Stubb described freedom of movement as a "rather sacred" principle that Finland was determined to uphold while trying to allay British concerns.

The Guardian

So it will be up to the judges in Turin to either convict a troublesome poet or uphold the principle of free speech so recently championed in Paris by politicians of all stripes.

The Guardian - Opinion

12.18pm: Legal eagles have suspected for years now that Justice Antonin Scalia, based on record of opinions related to the Commerce Clause, might vote to uphold the PPACA.

The Guardian

Put another way: several of the five conservatives justices, only one of whom will be needed to uphold the law as the four liberals seem firmly in support, wanted Verrilli to give them concrete reasons for how requiring individuals to purchase health insurance or else face a financial penalty is a case unique to health care markets that won't set a precedent in others.

The Guardian

Vinter, and convicted murderers Jeremy Bamber and Peter Moore, have now launched an appeal against the decision to uphold their whole-life sentences at the European court of human rights.

The Guardian

"The local council does have a responsibility to uphold housing standards but a problem is that there's not enough funding in the councils so a lot of these things go unnoticed".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Uphold", ensure the context clearly indicates what principle, law, or standard is being supported to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "Uphold" is a strong and formal term, it can sound out of place in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "support" or "maintain" when discussing everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Uphold" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being supported or maintained. Examples from Ludwig, such as "uphold the law" or "uphold standards", demonstrate this function. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "Uphold" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term for expressing the act of maintaining or supporting a principle, law, or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. It is most commonly found in formal contexts such as news and media, as well as business and legal settings, emphasizing its role in serious and official discourse. While versatile, it's best to reserve "Uphold" for formal situations and choose simpler alternatives like "support" or "maintain" in casual contexts. Always ensure that the context clearly indicates what principle or standard is being supported to avoid any potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Maintain

Focuses on keeping something in its current state, differing from "Uphold" which implies active support.

Support

Offers a general term for providing assistance or approval, lacking the specific connotation of defending a principle present in "Uphold".

Defend

Emphasizes protection against attack or criticism, whereas "Uphold" suggests a more proactive endorsement.

Sustain

Implies providing the necessities for something to continue, differing from "Uphold"'s sense of active advocacy.

Preserve

Highlights keeping something intact over time, while "Uphold" emphasizes present-day support.

Stand by

Suggests loyalty and support, but can be passive, unlike the active commitment in "Uphold".

Advocate

Focuses on publicly recommending or supporting something, which is a more specific form of "Uphold".

Champion

Implies fighting for something, which is a more active and assertive form of "Uphold".

Abide by

Means to comply with or follow, which is a more compliant than actively supportive like "Uphold".

Adhere to

Focuses on sticking to a rule or principle, slightly different than actively supporting or defending as in "Uphold".

FAQs

How can I use "Uphold" in a sentence?

You can use "Uphold" to describe supporting a principle, law, or standard. For example, "The court's decision was to "uphold the law"" or "We must "uphold our values"."

What are some alternatives to "Uphold"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "maintain", "support", "defend", or "sustain".

Is it better to say "Uphold the law" or "Enforce the law"?

"Uphold the law" implies supporting and maintaining the law, while "enforce the law" means actively ensuring that the law is obeyed. The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing support or active implementation.

What's the difference between "Uphold" and "Abide by"?

"Uphold" suggests actively supporting and defending something, while "abide by" simply means to comply with or follow a rule or law. Upholding is more proactive than abiding.