Definition

1. Adjective (past participle of ):
   • Carried aloft; supported from below: "upborne" describes something that is lifted, held up, or sustained, often by a force or agent.
   • Sustained or upheld: figuratively, it can mean being supported emotionally, morally, or spiritually.

Usage Examples

• Literal use:

  • The hot air balloon was upborne by the warm currents. (The balloon was lifted and carried upward by the air.)
  • The eagle was upborne on the wind, soaring without effort. (The eagle was held aloft by the wind.)

• Figurative use:

  • She felt upborne by the kindness of her friends during the crisis. (She was emotionally supported and sustained by their kindness.)
  • His faith upborne him through the darkest times. (His faith upheld him and gave him strength.)

Advanced Usage

• "Upborne by hope": sustained or encouraged by hope.

  • The refugees were upborne by the hope of a new life. (Hope kept them going.)

• "Upborne on wings": carried aloft as if by wings.

  • The music seemed to lift the audience, as if upborne on invisible wings. (The music elevated their spirits.)

Variants and Related Words

• Upbear (verb): to lift up; to support or sustain.

  • The columns upbear the weight of the roof. (The columns hold the roof up.)

• Upbearing (adjective): that uplifts or supports.

  • The upbearing currents carried the swimmer to the surface. (The currents lifted the swimmer upward.)

Synonyms

• Lifted: raised to a higher position.
• Supported: held up from below.
• Sustained: kept from falling; maintained.

Related Idioms

• Upborne by the tide: carried along by a natural or social force.

  • The movement was upborne by the tide of public opinion. (The movement was supported and propelled by popular sentiment.)

• Upborne by pride: sustained by one's own dignity or self-respect.

  • He walked tall, upborne by his pride in his work. (His pride kept his spirits high.)