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Added 9 October 2026

uphold

/ˌʌpˈhəʊld/ verb

In Latin: tueor Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about uphold at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To hold up; to lift on high; to elevate.
To keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling.
To support by approval or encouragement; to vindicate; to confirm (something which has been questioned).

Origin

From Middle English upholden, equivalent to up- + hold. Compare Dutch ophouden (“to stop, cease, hold up”), German aufhalten (“to stop, halt, detain”). Compare also Middle Low German upholt, Old Norse upphald (“uphold, support”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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