Synonyms of hang-up

hang-up

noun

ˈhaŋ-ˌəp 

as in demon

a source of persistent emotional distress

low self-esteem is only one of his many hang-ups

Synonyms & Similar Words

• demon
• torment
• terror
• affliction
• bugbear
• bugaboo
• bête noire
• bogey
• ogre
• hobgoblin

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hang-up

Most fans will be happy to know that the fight will count toward both legends' pro records, but this was initially a hang-up for the event. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2026

No hang-ups or glitches on Insta embeds. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Some solar projects are stalled because of permitting hang-ups. — Ayurella Horn-Muller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

Another shift at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center has come and gone—and with it, a slew of new patient problems, professional dilemmas, and interpersonal hang-ups for everyone's favorite day shift staffers to attempt to work through. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 17 Apr. 2026