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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of held up
But White Bear Lake’s defensive front held up relatively well for much of the night from there, keeping the Bears in the game.
—
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Keep in mind, however, that the Washington OL held up well against what is projected to be an outstanding Giants pass rush last Sunday.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
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
In one of the photos, Carrigan, who's also a former professional boxer, held up mini pink boxing gloves, indicating that the couple was expecting a baby girl.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
By far the best in the land’ read another held up on two sticks.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The formulations held up under stress.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Keep in mind, however, that the Washington OL held up well against what is projected to be an outstanding Giants pass rush last Sunday.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
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
In one of the photos, Carrigan, who's also a former professional boxer, held up mini pink boxing gloves, indicating that the couple was expecting a baby girl.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
By far the best in the land’ read another held up on two sticks.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The formulations held up under stress.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
Regardless of whether these candidates are added to the roster, Cassidy has called for the ACIP meeting scheduled for September 18 and 19 to be postponed.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that in 2024, nearly one in four adults postponed receiving health care because of the cost.—
Megan Garnai,
IndyStar,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That alone is amazing, said Timbrook, Depue and a representative for the soft body armor vest that stopped a bullet from piercing the officer’s chest.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Clearly, when the justice reform was stopped was one point in time, in [20]21.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The investigation has been hampered by peculiar challenges, though, perhaps none greater than the fact that the entire city in which the crime occurred has vanished.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Dry conditions have hampered quail reproduction across parts of Arizona, leading to concerns about future populations.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kirk is survived by his wife, the former Miss Arizona USA Erika Frantzve, and their two children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk is survived by his wife, former Miss Arizona USA Erika Frantzve, and their two children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Senate field has remained thin since liberal teacher Josh Weil bowed out earlier this summer, positioning Jenkins as the party’s most visible candidate so far.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
State police say the driver whose vehicle struck Christopher remained at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Next, a series of lawsuits delayed construction.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
9 Sep. 2025
-
New natural gas plants are being delayed until the 2030s because of a 50-month backlog for natural gas turbines, and new nuclear power plants can take more than a decade to get off the ground.—
Brian Deese,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Clark County Fire Department said that tunnel boring operations had been temporarily halted at the site pending an ongoing accident investigation.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Preseason injuries and an abysmal start to the game halted any opportunity for the Dolphins to dominate on the ground, but where does that leave them moving forward?—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 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 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share