up + hold

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.

upholder |ˌəpˈhōldər| noun