Upholding Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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upholding
[ʌpˈhoʊldɪŋ ]
Definitions
law
Upholding means to support or defend a decision or law.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| support |
Used when giving assistance, approval, or encouragement to someone or something. It can be emotional, financial, or physical support.
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| maintain |
Used in a general sense to talk about keeping something at the same level or condition over time. It can refer to physical upkeep or the continuation of a state or condition.
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| defend |
Used when protecting a person, idea, or place from harm, attack, or criticism. It has a more active and often confrontational connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling.
- She is committed to upholding the values of justice and equality.
morality
Upholding can also refer to maintaining a standard or principle.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| upholding |
Used when actively supporting or defending a principle, law, or standard.
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| maintain |
Commonly used to indicate keeping something in its current state or condition over time.
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| preserve |
Used when preventing something from decaying or being damaged, often associated with historical, cultural, or natural objects.
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| sustain |
Indicates supporting something over a long period, often used with regard to life, activities, or energy.
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Examples of usage
- He believes in upholding honesty in all his dealings.
- Our company is dedicated to upholding ethical business practices.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal Significance
- Upholding a law means to ensure that it is followed and respected by everyone.
- Supreme Courts often make decisions to uphold or overturn previous rulings, impacting the justice system significantly.
- Civil rights movements have fought to uphold equality and justice for all individuals regardless of background.
Cultural Impact
- Many cultures emphasize upholding family values and traditions as vital for social cohesion.
- In various religions, believers are encouraged to uphold moral values and teachings from sacred texts.
- Artistic expressions often depict themes of upholding ideals, such as freedom, justice, and community support.
Psychology
- Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person's actions do not uphold their beliefs, causing discomfort.
- Upholding one's values is crucial for personal integrity, leading to better mental health.
- Group identity can strengthen when members agree to uphold shared beliefs, fostering a sense of belonging.
Education
- Teachers often encourage students to uphold academic honesty as a critical value in education.
- Upholding classroom rules helps create a supportive and focused learning environment.
- Character education programs aim to teach students the importance of upholding respect and responsibility.
Origin of 'upholding'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English 'uphaldan', which means to hold up or support.
- It combines 'up', meaning higher, and 'hold', suggesting maintaining or supporting.
- The term has been used in legal contexts since the 14th century, often referring to maintaining laws or decisions.
The word 'upholding' originated from the combination of 'up' and 'hold,' suggesting the idea of maintaining or supporting something in a higher position. The concept of upholding has been prevalent in various aspects of society, including law, morality, and values, reflecting the importance of steadfast support and adherence to principles.
See also: held, hold, holder, holders, holding, holdings, holdup, uphold, withhold, withholding.