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
Jan Paul van Hecke, a center-back who saw action on all parts of the pitch by both defending and scoring a goal, praised how the field held up — while also making a joke.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2026
In a touching tribute, Saliba ran over to the sideline after scoring and held up the jersey of Ismaël Koné, the teammate who left the field on a stretcher minutes earlier after suffering what looked to be a serious leg injury.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Even Britain, long held up as the regulatory model, has slipped to 90-10, with unregulated books taking a double-digit share of that market for the first time.
—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
And unlike most multi-goal leads in what has been a wild and thrilling series, this one held up, with Brandon Bussi finishing with 22 saves in his second career postseason start.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Iranian leadership complained that visas for key staff members were being held up and the tumult was disturbing its preparation for the tournament.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Boston Police are looking for two robbers armed with a gun who held up a children's lemonade stand in South Boston.
—
Tammy Mutasa,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
But federal funding was held up for months, thanks to an environmental lawsuit by opponents of the facility.
—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
The ones that made the cut held up throughout a full day, were buildable, and worked on a variety of skin types.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
28 May 2026
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2026
In a touching tribute, Saliba ran over to the sideline after scoring and held up the jersey of Ismaël Koné, the teammate who left the field on a stretcher minutes earlier after suffering what looked to be a serious leg injury.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Even Britain, long held up as the regulatory model, has slipped to 90-10, with unregulated books taking a double-digit share of that market for the first time.
—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
And unlike most multi-goal leads in what has been a wild and thrilling series, this one held up, with Brandon Bussi finishing with 22 saves in his second career postseason start.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Iranian leadership complained that visas for key staff members were being held up and the tumult was disturbing its preparation for the tournament.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Boston Police are looking for two robbers armed with a gun who held up a children's lemonade stand in South Boston.
—
Tammy Mutasa,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
But federal funding was held up for months, thanks to an environmental lawsuit by opponents of the facility.
—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
The ones that made the cut held up throughout a full day, were buildable, and worked on a variety of skin types.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
After strong pushback from the downtown community, San Jose City Council Tuesday postponed a decision on a proposal for parking rate hikes and extended enforcement hours until after its summer recess in August.
-
Their sister postponed her wedding for about one year after the accident.
Verb
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While the bus is stopped, Daniel takes his silly ass bowling alone, the ultimate loneliness shorthand.
-
The 28-year-old from Norway, seeking his eighth PGA Tour win, made three more bogeys, and three birdies, to sit two strokes behind Scheffler when play was stopped.
Verb
-
Slowing the virus’ spread has been hampered by the fact that there is no known treatment or vaccine for the new Bundibugyo strain.
-
Peterson was considered by many the top prospect in this year’s class, but his stock was hampered by injury issues during his lone season at Kansas.
Verb
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Instead, Chancellor Lee Adams survived, but his mother never regained consciousness after those few hours that first day.
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Twice divorced, Davis is survived by three sons and a daughter.
Verb
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Regional theaters such as Seattle Rep, the Guthrie, the Goodman and Baltimore Center Stage remained committed to their missions while New York nonprofit companies continued to hold the line off-Broadway.
-
At least 3,150 others remained injured, and roughly 12,721 people have been displaced, according to officials.
Verb
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As Eye Patch descended the stairs of the tower, whistling a carefree, shuffling tune, Ted stood up and hopped over to me.
-
On Thursday night, as the Washington Nationals drove from Nationals Park into Maryland, Jake Irvin stood up on the bus.
Verb
-
The theory here is that avarice and ambition can best be defeated by means of somebody else’s avarice and ambition; power’s inevitable corrupting effect is thereby mitigated or delayed.
-
Automatic contributions, delayed payment windows, small rituals that add friction to impulse spending — these are all behavioral architecture moves, not acts of self-denial.
Verb
-
In the end that discussion was halted by Paramount’s superior bid.
-
Just days after the White House confirmed the plans, a Kenyan court temporarily halted the proposal with Kenyan High Court Judge Patricia Nyaundi upholding that decision and ordering the Kenyan government to cease all building and operations at the base while the case is resolved.
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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