1
as in postponed
to assign to a later time
held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopped
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hampered
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
if lack of transportation is the only thing holding you up, I can give you a ride
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in survived
to continue to operate or to meet one's needs
the air conditioner held up this year, but it's not going to make it through another summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in remained
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
the storm's hurricane-force winds did not hold up once it hit the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in flew
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
an argument that won't hold up in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of held up
The City Council License Committee was scheduled to vote on the measure on Thursday, but without an explanation the proposal was held up without a debate or vote.
—
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
The Panthers gave up five grade-A chances in the opening 10 minutes of the game, and Bobrovsky held up.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The families held up photographs of their sons who are either now on the front lines or have been killed, wounded or are missing in the war.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
The basic trend held up year after year.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Inside Toyota Stadium, the large soccer tifo banner appeared, rolled out and held up by fans after the national anthem, a nod of encouragement for the team’s coach, Eric Quill.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Ukraine’s frontline defenses have held up – but only just.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
The Canadians struck with a shorthanded goal from Kristin O’Neill early in the second period, and that held up until Knight deflected a shot from the point by Laila Edwards to tie the score.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene as the infant was lowered to safety in a car seat carrier held up by what appeared to be a tow strap, local ABC affiliate WXOW reported.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
The Panthers gave up five grade-A chances in the opening 10 minutes of the game, and Bobrovsky held up.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The families held up photographs of their sons who are either now on the front lines or have been killed, wounded or are missing in the war.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
The basic trend held up year after year.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Inside Toyota Stadium, the large soccer tifo banner appeared, rolled out and held up by fans after the national anthem, a nod of encouragement for the team’s coach, Eric Quill.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Ukraine’s frontline defenses have held up – but only just.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
The Canadians struck with a shorthanded goal from Kristin O’Neill early in the second period, and that held up until Knight deflected a shot from the point by Laila Edwards to tie the score.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene as the infant was lowered to safety in a car seat carrier held up by what appeared to be a tow strap, local ABC affiliate WXOW reported.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
The game between Dallas and the Columbus Blue Jackets is postponed by the NHL after Stars forward Rich Peverley collapses on the bench during the first period.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Snyder successfully argued that the start of his sentence should be postponed until his bid to have the Supreme Court hear his case was complete.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The threat of Iranian missile and drone attacks has all but stopped tankers carrying oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran from traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
However, access stopped after airstrikes hit Iran’s major nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The journey is hampered by lack of money and other misfortunes, and it’s eventually interrupted by a gunshot, announcing the cantankerous presence of Tiga.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
It has also been hampered by its own investors failing to back it, Semafor’s technology editor reported.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
McDonald is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy; his five children, Seven, Devin, Ryan, Tara Taylor and Emily; a brother, Billy; and four grandchildren.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
She is survived by her husband, Todd Corman, and their two children.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The move follows a surge in oil to above $100 a barrel as more major Middle East producers curbed production and the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed.—
Priscila Azevedo Rocha,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Kosher News manager Tito Estrada has remained a consistent warm presence at the newsstand for 20 years.—
Jason LeCras,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chicago O’Hare issued a ground stop on Tuesday night due to thunderstorms, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, with flight departures delayed an average of 15 minutes and increasing.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Connor Hellebuyck had 30 saves for the Jets, who saw their three-game win streak and six-game point streak halted.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
To balance the budget last year, Newsom and the Legislature halted Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented immigrants beginning in January, and imposed a $30 premium on those already enrolled, beginning in July 2027.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That all but hindered their ability to disguise.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Lackluster support from the mayor’s office for law enforcement has hindered recruitment and retention.—
Juan Rangel,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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