be upheld against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be upheld against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is maintained or supported in opposition to something else. Example: "The court's decision must be upheld against any challenges from the opposing party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The justification is always the same: the security of the occupier must be upheld against the resistance of the occupied and blockaded population.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A fine of about 500 million euros was upheld against his financial empire.

The New York Times

This compares with about a third of all complaints being upheld against government departments in general.

The Guardian

As many as 800 complaints of racism have been upheld against officers since 2010, but only 20 have been sacked.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, the report revealed that "in a very small number of cases, alleged perpetrators [of sexual harassment] have been promoted after complaints have been upheld against them".

The Guardian

An employment tribunal ruled in January last year that the BBC was guilty of ageism in removing her from the show, the first time an age discrimination case had been upheld against the corporation.

The Guardian

It is the first time an age discrimination case has been upheld against the corporation, which apologised to O'Reilly and promised an immediate overhaul of how it recruits and appoints its presenters.

The Guardian

The predecessors to the current rules were upheld against repeated challenge from the media industry by Supreme Court rulings that deferred to regulators and broadly found restrictions to be in "the public interest".

The New York Times

O'Reilly's tribunal was the first time an age discrimination case has been upheld against the corporation, which apologised to her and promised an immediate overhaul of how it recruits and appoints its presenters.

The Guardian

Sutton declined when asked by one of the MPs if he wanted to apologise for his use of inappropriate and discriminatory language to women, as was upheld against him in the recent British Cycling inquiry.

The Guardian - Sport

The towns of Glastonbury, Newtown and Bridgewater were upheld against developers of homes and apartments with affordable components when the judges accepted the towns' claims that open space and recreational needs outweighed the need for housing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "be upheld against" in formal writing where you need to express that a decision, principle, or value is being maintained or defended in the face of opposition or challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "be upheld against" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler, more direct language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be upheld against" functions as a passive construction indicating that a decision, principle, or entity is being supported or validated in opposition to a challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be upheld against" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to convey that something is being maintained or defended despite facing opposition. Ludwig AI indicates its proper usage. It is primarily found in formal contexts like news reports, legal documents, and academic papers. While the phrase has a clear and specific meaning, alternative phrasings such as "be defended against" or "be sustained against" may offer more clarity or better suit the intended nuance in certain situations. However, it should be avoided in informal settings, where it could sound overly formal or unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be defended against

Focuses on the act of defending rather than maintaining validity.

Be upheld in the face of

Stresses the presence of opposition or adversity.

Be sustained against

Highlights the aspect of continuing support in the face of opposition.

Be maintained despite

Emphasizes the endurance of something even with challenges.

Be validated in spite of

Focuses on confirming the correctness despite something.

Stand firm against

Implies a stronger, more active resistance.

Hold its ground against

Suggests a struggle to maintain position or validity.

Withstand

Similar to resist, but with the semantic nuance of resisting the effects of something.

Resist

This is a shorter form of the main query, and focuses primarily on the act of resisting.

Defy

Implies a bold or open resistance to something.

FAQs

What does "be upheld against" mean?

It means that something is maintained, supported, or defended even when facing opposition, challenges, or counterarguments.

When is it appropriate to use "be upheld against"?

This phrase is suitable for formal contexts, such as legal documents, academic papers, and news reports, where you need to convey that something is being validated or defended against something else.

What are some alternatives to "be upheld against"?

You can use alternatives like "be defended against", "be sustained against", or "stand firm against" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "be upheld against" differ from "resist"?

"Resist" implies a direct action of opposing something, while ""be upheld against"" suggests that something is being maintained or validated despite an opposing force. The former is about active opposition; the latter is about enduring validation.