Word
upholding
Phoneticsup·hold·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/əpˈhoʊɫdɪŋ/
UK/ʌphˈəʊldɪŋ/
Definition
v. to support or defend a law, a decision, or a principle so that it stays in place. You use this when a higher authority agrees that a previous choice was correct.
v. to maintain, support, or confirm a previous decision or law, especially against a challenge. Transitive; frequently used in legal contexts where a higher court affirms the ruling of a lower court.
Examples
“The judge decided to uphold the original sentence.”
“After reviewing the evidence, the committee voted to uphold the ban on single-use plastics in the city.”
“The supreme court eventually chose to uphold the lower court's ruling, effectively cementing the legal precedent for future civil rights cases across the country.”
Examples
simple
“The judge decided to uphold the original sentence.”
contextual
“After reviewing the evidence, the committee voted to uphold the ban on single-use plastics in the city.”
complex
“The supreme court eventually chose to uphold the lower court's ruling, effectively cementing the legal precedent for future civil rights cases across the country.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, such as a law, decision, or tradition.
Pitfall
The court upheld to the decision.
The court upheld the decision.
Uphold is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'to' before its object.
Real-World Examples
“Schwartz will have to tread a narrow path in upholding the CDC’s mission to safeguard public health in the face of political pressure.” “More broadly, they played an important role upholding the religious diversity of American society.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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