uphold vs defend

uphold and defend both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
uphold	No	No	Yes	No
defend	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, defend is a hypernym of uphold; that is, defend is a word with a broader meaning than uphold:

Other hypernyms of uphold include fend for, support.

uphold (verb)	defend (verb)
stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals	argue or speak in defense of
support against an opponent	state or assert
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last	be on the defensive; act against an attack
	protect against a challenge or attack
	protect or fight for as a champion
	fight against or resist strongly
	be the defense counsel for someone in a trial