# uphold

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˌʌpˈhəʊld/ · frequency rank #14,663

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

## Etymology
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”).

## Easily confused with
- **upload** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/uphold-vs-upload)
- **upheld** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/upheld-vs-uphold)
- **unfold** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/unfold-vs-uphold)
- **uphill** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/uphill-vs-uphold)
- **untold** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/untold-vs-uphold)
- **unholy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/unholy-vs-uphold)
- **unsold** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/unsold-vs-uphold)

## Common misspellings (9)
`puhold`, `uhpold`, `uphhold`, `uphlod`, `uphodl`, `upholdd`, `upholld`, `upohld`, `upphold`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/uphold