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 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
Distributing that money was held up by a legal battle.
—Amanda Hari, CBS News, 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
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Distributing that money was held up by a legal battle.
—Amanda Hari, CBS News, 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
-
Notably, the Qatar soccer federation (QFA) has postponed all tournaments and matches until further notice.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
If an application for historic status is pending, demolition can be further postponed.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
3 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
-
The project was revived in 2019 with plans to launch production in 2022, but further challenges delayed progress.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
His sentencing was delayed as Khan sought to withdraw his no contest plea.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Bahrain and Qatar have effectively halted production of oil and LNG, keeping output at a trickle to avoid complete shutdowns that could damage reservoirs and delay restarts.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gulf states’ strategy on Iran — focused on de-escalation and containing tensions — has hindered their ability to influence Tehran and shape the new security environment, Bader Al-Saif, assistant professor of history at Kuwait University, and Chatham House’s Sanam Vakil write for War on the Rocks.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Richard also recalled how Amber’s COVID-19 diagnosis before she was scheduled to perform at the US Nationals in 2019 hindered her Olympics debut.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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