firmly upheld

USAGE SUMMARY

"firmly upheld" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a decision, principle, or law that is strongly maintained or supported. An example: "The court firmly upheld the previous ruling." Alternative expressions include "strongly supported" and "stoutly defended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Piltdown also seemed to support the theory, then firmly upheld by English palaeontologists, that growing brainpower had driven human evolution.

The Guardian

Sixtus IV's relations were strained with France, whose king Louis XI firmly upheld the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges (1438), which had established the liberties of the French Church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although Stephen firmly upheld the Roman rule that rendered rebaptism unnecessary, Sixtus, supposedly influenced by Bishop St. Dionysius the Great of Alexandria, adopted a more conciliatory attitude by tolerating the Eastern policies of rebaptism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When those run dry, the experienced speaker will seek refuge in the damp, wooly depths of guanhua — the bureaucratic jargon of numbered clauses, of theories firmly upheld and banners held high.

The New Yorker

They are an extension of a culture of male entitlement to women's bodies that is firmly upheld by societal norms, ones that we see exposed across the world with the #MeToo movement.

The Guardian

Leaving Mike Sirotka with the Toronto Blue Jays and David Wells with the Chicago White Sox, Commissioner Bud Selig yesterday firmly upheld the longtime policy at the core of trades: buyer beware.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Let the whole nation come out to firmly uphold the patriotic army-based policy," the agency said.

The New York Times

When it comes to the priesthood, Francis firmly upholds church doctrine: "On the ordination of women, the church has spoken and said no… That door is closed".

The Economist

And he firmly upholds Turkey's cherished concept of the unitary state, which means he will oppose the cause of Kurdish separatism, though Kurdish civil rights are another matter.

The Economist

"As before, we firmly uphold the thesis that questions about Syria's future must be decided by the Syrians themselves," Russia's Foreign Ministry said, "without interference from outside or the imposition of prepared recipes for development".

The New York Times

In recent weeks, Xi has sent signals to the Communist Party in study sessions with cadres to firmly uphold China's existing model and brace for "political risks," said Scott Kennedy, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies CSISS).

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "firmly upheld" when you want to emphasize the strength and consistency of support for a principle, rule, or decision. It conveys a sense of unwavering commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "firmly upheld" in situations where the support is wavering or questionable. This phrase implies a strong and consistent commitment, so using it when the support is weak undermines its intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firmly upheld" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of supporting or maintaining a principle, law, or decision with unwavering commitment. Ludwig examples show it frequently used in legal, political, and ethical contexts, indicating its role in emphasizing the strength and consistency of support.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "firmly upheld" is a verb phrase used to express a strong and consistent commitment to a principle, rule, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests that it is most commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. The phrase implies a sense of stability and reliability, assuring audiences of unwavering support. While alternatives like "strongly supported" or "resolutely maintained" exist, "firmly upheld" provides a unique emphasis on consistency. Be sure to use it in contexts where the support is genuinely strong and unwavering to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly supported

Focuses on active endorsement and backing.

resolutely maintained

Emphasizes unwavering commitment to keeping something in place.

staunchly defended

Highlights a strong defense against opposition.

rigidly enforced

Focuses on the strict application of a rule or law.

zealously advocated

Suggests enthusiastic and passionate support.

steadfastly preserved

Emphasizes the act of keeping something safe from harm or change.

vigorously championed

Implies energetic and active support of a cause or idea.

unflinchingly backed

Highlights unwavering support without hesitation.

earnestly sustained

Focuses on sincere and diligent effort to keep something going.

consistently upheld

Emphasizes the routine and regular nature of support or maintenance.

FAQs

How can I use "firmly upheld" in a sentence?

You can use "firmly upheld" to describe a principle, law, or decision that is strongly supported and maintained. For instance, "The court "firmly upheld" the previous ruling."

What are some alternatives to "firmly upheld"?

Some alternatives include "strongly supported", "resolutely maintained", or "staunchly defended", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "strongly upheld" instead of "firmly upheld"?

While "strongly upheld" is understandable, "firmly upheld" emphasizes a consistent and unwavering commitment. "Strongly upheld" focuses more on the intensity of the support at a particular moment. Ultimately, both are valid, but "firmly upheld" is a more precise description of constant maintenance.

What is the difference between "firmly upheld" and "strictly enforced"?

"Firmly upheld" refers to the consistent support and maintenance of a principle or rule, whereas "strictly enforced" focuses on the rigorous application of a rule or law. The former is about maintaining support, while the latter is about ensuring compliance.