uphold
up + hold
/icons/point.icon SUPPORT, UPHOLD, ADVOCATE, BACK, CHAMPION mean to favor actively one that meets opposition.
SUPPORT is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.
e.g. supports waterfront development
UPHOLD implies extended support given to something attacked.
e.g. upheld the legitimacy of the military action
ADVOCATE stresses urging or pleading.
e.g. advocated prison reform
BACK suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.
e.g. refusing to back the call for sanctions
CHAMPION suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.
e.g. championed the rights of children
verb (past and past participle upheld) with object
confirm or support (something which has been questioned):
｟かたく｠ 〈法･主義など〉を支持する, 擁護する(→ support); 〈人〉を支援する; 支える, 鼓舞する
e.g. the court upheld his claim for damages.
maintain (a custom or practice):
〈慣習･伝統など〉を維持する
e.g. many furniture makers uphold the tradition of fine design.
DERIVATIVES
upholder |ˌəpˈhōldər| noun