Upheld

/ʌpˈhɛld/

Synonyms for "upheld" (14 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (3)

Verb(1 words)
based onborne

Strong matches (4)

Verb(1 words)
founded ongrounded onheld

Related words (7)

Noun(1 words)
propped up

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: affirmed, based on, borne, confirmed, founded on.
  • Sentence evidence is available for upheld, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, opengloss.

Synonym selection checklist

  • Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
  • Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
  • Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "upheld".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "upheld"

Keep "upheld" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.

If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.

Replacement workflow

1. Preserve meaning

Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "upheld" intact in the sentence you are editing.

2. Tune tone

Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.

3. Re-read context

Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.

Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.

Final fit check

After choosing a replacement for "upheld", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.

If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "upheld" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

6 entries
approvalcourt rulinglegal decisionlegitimacypolicyvalidity

More specific

5 entries
administrative rulingconstitutional rulingstatutory rulingwell-foundedwell-supported

Collocations

5 entries
upheld lawupheld policyupheld principleupheld rulingupheld standard

Inflections

2 entries
more upheldmost upheld

Derivations

4 entries

Sample sentences

8 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

Sami's conviction was upheld.

Source: tatoeba (6668762)

If ever there was a cause, if ever there can be a cause, worthy to be upheld by all of toil or sacrifice that the human heart can endure, it is the cause of Education.

Source: tatoeba (7482075)

These conditions can be changed and the interest of the working class upheld only by an organization formed in such a way that all its members in any one industry, or in all industries if necessary, cease work whenever a strike or lockout is on in any department thereof, thus making an injury to one an injury to all.

Source: tatoeba (7847214)

Quebec's blatantly discriminatory and hateful law was upheld by the Quebec Superior Court.

Source: tatoeba (10118917)

Showing 4 of 8 available sentences.

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "upheld"?

Closest matches include affirmed, based on, borne, confirmed, founded on.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "upheld"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "upheld"