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
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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
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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
Three years before the famed film was released, Wojtowicz and a friend held up a Brooklyn bank in a 14-hour hostage ordeal, allegedly robbing the bank to help pay for his transgender partner’s gender-affirming surgery.
—
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The Huskies’ defense held up well against Ohio State, but the offense wasn’t capable of doing much in a 24-6 loss.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The defense for Texas has held up its end of the bargain, stopping the run well, allowing one of the lowest rushing yard totals per game in the country.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Tkachuk then held up a Miami hockey jersey after announcing his pick.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
He was dressed in a white tank top, a billowing black organza jacket, and distressed jeans that, in lieu of a belt, were held up by cellophane tape.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
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
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
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The Huskies’ defense held up well against Ohio State, but the offense wasn’t capable of doing much in a 24-6 loss.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The defense for Texas has held up its end of the bargain, stopping the run well, allowing one of the lowest rushing yard totals per game in the country.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Tkachuk then held up a Miami hockey jersey after announcing his pick.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
He was dressed in a white tank top, a billowing black organza jacket, and distressed jeans that, in lieu of a belt, were held up by cellophane tape.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
After defense attorneys raised concerns about a prosecutor's comments to a local news outlet, the misdemeanor trial for CityBeat investigative news reporter Madeline Fening was postponed until early 2026.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
On Friday, the Labor Department is expected release numbers on September hiring and unemployment — though the report could be postponed if a budget impasse in Congress leads to a government shutdown Wednesday.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But as the months have passed, Juni has stopped stashing food, loves to nap, and seems so much more at ease.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Carelessness and accidents happen, however, so take some time with each season to go through items and toss anything that’s faded, shattered, or stopped working.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Penn State came up short against Oregon last week, and the second loss of the season hampered their chances of making the College Football Playoff with a tough road ahead of them.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
After being hampered by injuries late in his time with the Royals, Keller is healthy and happy to be part of Chicago’s bullpen.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Oxy barely survived the downturn, slashing its dividend from 79 cents per share each quarter down to just one penny.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Only 13 of the 62 crew members survived.—
Leanna Renee Hieber,
Big Think,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Still, the baseball slugger and pinup bombshell always remained in each other’s corners.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Even going back to the summer of 2024, Latto remained tight-lipped about her dating life when pressed by Ebro Darden on Apple Music.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The release of key economic reports would also likely be delayed, economists said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Recently, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has also taken legal action against the Department of Education, alleging that the administration has unlawfully delayed or denied access to loan forgiveness programs, such as IDR and PSLF.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The government shutdown that began this week furloughed thousands of federal workers, froze essential government functions across the nation — and also halted an essential part of Florida’s booming real estate market.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Medicare and Medicaid benefits also will still be paid, but many other aspects of the federal government have halted during the shutdown.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Another lottery pick, Leo Carlsson, twice impeded Utah’s progress up the ice.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The implementation of the SCORE Act could be impeded by other types of legal challenges.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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