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
Suzuki held up his hand in the direction of the field before deciding to challenge.
—
Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
But the highlight of the ceremony is the adoration of the cross, which in many cases is held up near the altar as the faithful line up to kiss it or touch it in reverence.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
N'dea Yancey-Bragg Senator Alex Padilla, D-California, held up his own copy of the Constitution and a protest sign to stress the clarity of the language in the 14th Amendment.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Low frequencies, which bend around obstacles more easily, held up.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
New sanctions from the European Union, meanwhile, are being held up by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s outrage at the slow pace of repairs on the Druzhba oil pipeline.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Among them was a young white man in a suit who held up an Indian flag, imitated an Indian accent and extolled the virtues of public defecation.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
It was definitely held up, and so … everybody’s been running around this city trying to figure out what’s going on.
—Shelley Nelson, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
The City Council License Committee was scheduled to vote on the measure on Thursday, but without an explanation the proposal was held up without a debate or vote.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
But the highlight of the ceremony is the adoration of the cross, which in many cases is held up near the altar as the faithful line up to kiss it or touch it in reverence.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
N'dea Yancey-Bragg Senator Alex Padilla, D-California, held up his own copy of the Constitution and a protest sign to stress the clarity of the language in the 14th Amendment.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Low frequencies, which bend around obstacles more easily, held up.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
New sanctions from the European Union, meanwhile, are being held up by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s outrage at the slow pace of repairs on the Druzhba oil pipeline.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Among them was a young white man in a suit who held up an Indian flag, imitated an Indian accent and extolled the virtues of public defecation.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
It was definitely held up, and so … everybody’s been running around this city trying to figure out what’s going on.
—Shelley Nelson, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
The City Council License Committee was scheduled to vote on the measure on Thursday, but without an explanation the proposal was held up without a debate or vote.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
Altman’s funeral had been postponed from last week after his wife went into labor.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The two-day Cascale forum, scheduled to open on March 30, and an Investors Forum organized by the Board of Investment for the same day, were both postponed amid mounting logistical challenges.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His words were underscored when police in Israel stopped Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built on the spot where Jesus was thought to have been crucified.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Right away, the Bruins allowed point-blank chances to Zach Werenski and Boone Jenner in the opening minutes that Swayman stopped.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His ability to hold runners has hampered him.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Jospin never embraced his role as a public figure, hampered by a restrained personality that grew even stiffer in front of cameras.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gerth survived with her family and friends by sheltering in the basement.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Thomas, who is ninety, has recently survived a bout with the virus.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The unnamed former Global Risk employees remained the linchpin of Broidy’s lawsuit.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That defense entered the second week of March ranked fourth in the league but remained on a milk carton Sunday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Check subscriptions, compare a few price quotes, and choose quality over clutter, especially if your budget talks keep getting delayed or mixed between emails and texts.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
American Airlines is telling you why your flight is delayed.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike most toddlers with similar ambitions, however, Caldwell continued his excavation for over two years, until bedrock finally halted his efforts.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The program was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Noem's contract review policy disproportionately hindered FEMA, which awards massive contracts and funds disaster aid projects that frequently exceed $100,000.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
-
However, a budget managed by Congress with limited long-term visibility, coupled with a slow contracting process hindered by bureaucracy, creates some roadblocks.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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