uphold

Universal Words [VN] 1 to support sth that you think is right, fair, etc. and make sure that it continues to exist: We have a duty to uphold the law. * The regime has been criticized for failing to uphold human rights. 2 (especially of a court of law) to agree that a previous decision was correct or that a request is reasonable: to uphold a conviction / an appeal / a complaint * The Press Council refused to uphold the complaint. upholder noun: an upholder of traditional values