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
It’s held up beautifully, even without a top sheet underneath.
—
Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
His office has, without explanation, held up a data project that CDC scientists say would make the agency’s data more transparent.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The only odd thing during tonight’s intro at Princess of Wales was that at the end of TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey’s speech, two protesters quietly held up a sign against festival sponsor RBC (Royal Bank of Canada).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Several of the attendees stood next to the couple, as Carrigan held up the peace sign and posed for the picture.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Manchester United supporters held up more than 70 flags and banners, all designed by fans and paid for by The Red Army group.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The formulations held up under stress.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
An enraged Trump held up the attack as symptomatic of the deteriorating conditions in the capital, vowing to take drastic measures to restore the city to its former glory.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
When Athletes Typically Earn Prize Money The simplest answer as to why earnings are often held up is anti-doping control.
—Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
His office has, without explanation, held up a data project that CDC scientists say would make the agency’s data more transparent.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The only odd thing during tonight’s intro at Princess of Wales was that at the end of TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey’s speech, two protesters quietly held up a sign against festival sponsor RBC (Royal Bank of Canada).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Several of the attendees stood next to the couple, as Carrigan held up the peace sign and posed for the picture.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Manchester United supporters held up more than 70 flags and banners, all designed by fans and paid for by The Red Army group.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The formulations held up under stress.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
An enraged Trump held up the attack as symptomatic of the deteriorating conditions in the capital, vowing to take drastic measures to restore the city to its former glory.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
When Athletes Typically Earn Prize Money The simplest answer as to why earnings are often held up is anti-doping control.
—Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
McCaffrey’s weekly media session, scheduled for Thursday, was postponed.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic What To Know On September 3, Gaga posted that the performance had been postponed and cited medical advice.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When asked why all shoppers didn’t get the notice, an Amazon spokesperson said the notice was sent to customers who registered for the Prime Invitee Program between the program's launch in 2009 and 2015, when the program stopped accepting new members.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Providence is on a mission after being stopped two years in a row in the supersectional round.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Talking to Bill Nighy about his star turn as a frail and at times broken novelist in & Sons is rather hampered by the British actor not having seen director Pablo Trapero’s father-and-son drama on a screen of any size ahead of its world premiere on Sunday at the Toronto Film Festival.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Currently, only 37% of the more than 5 million tons of trash generated in the county each year is recycled — and even that is hampered by a 40% contamination rate.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Denver coach Sean Payton was done with Wilson, and the Broncos survived the hit.—
Mac Engel
September 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The brothers, Paul and Charles Buckel, survived.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Previous modeling systems captured fire and smoke behavior, but gaps remained in data accuracy and field observations.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
-
During the war, the majority of the collection was sent to Göring’s estate in Berlin, where the pieces remained until the end of the war, according to the court documents.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Justice Department in its June 2024 report on problems with policing in Phoenix found that police delayed medical assistance to people who appeared to be incapacitated as a result of the use of force by officers and used unreasonable force on people who had already been wounded by officers.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Owner Sam Sandrin said the opening was delayed due to a plumber misrepresenting that they were licensed.—
Jordyn Noennig,
jsonline.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those companies not only halted competition between their own brands, but also began cooperating with each other, the complaint alleges.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Wednesday’s Stage 11, scheduled to finish in the city of Bilbao, was halted about 3 kilometers early, and no winner was declared.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, debris removal took place, including significant debris that impeded roadways and public spaces, and damage occurred to water control facilities, utilities and parks and recreation facilities.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The rare move highlighted the administration's combative stance toward jurists who impeded its immigration policies.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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