# upheld

/əpˈhɛɫd/ (US) · /ʌphˈɛld/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/upheld
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

to support a decision or a law that someone else has already made. It is often used when a higher court agrees with a lower court's choice.

For teachers: to confirm or support a previous decision, especially a legal ruling or a principle. Often describes the action of a higher authority validating a contested judgment.

## Examples

- The judge upheld the original decision in court today.
- After reviewing the evidence, the committee upheld the suspension of the athlete for violating the rules.
- The supreme court eventually upheld the lower court's ruling, establishing a significant legal precedent that would influence civil rights cases for decades to come.

## Usage notes

- The past tense and past participle of 'uphold'. It is transitive and requires a direct object, usually a decision, law, or principle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.