1
as in to postpone
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 to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to hamper
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 to survive
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 to remain
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 to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
an argument that won't hold up in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
a holdup in construction due to the weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 hold up
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
The massive vessel still boasts the title as the world's largest cruise ship with 20 decks, 2,805 staterooms and the ability to hold up to 7,600 guests.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 15 May 2025
Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The only holdup with this trade is the fact that the Cardinals already have a decent bit of pitching in their farm system.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
The single artwork follows the theme of the track, which sees Kesha being choked by someone who holds a cigarette to her mouth, while another arm holds up a silver telephone to her ear.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
The massive vessel still boasts the title as the world's largest cruise ship with 20 decks, 2,805 staterooms and the ability to hold up to 7,600 guests.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
However, the holdup on congressional action is a lack of input from the White House, which could also opt to act unilaterally to revise existing outbound investment regulations.
—Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The only holdup with this trade is the fact that the Cardinals already have a decent bit of pitching in their farm system.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
Hartford Courant Central opener postponed: Thursday’s games in the NEC tournament in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. were postponed due to rain.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2025
-
Clean up habitat down by the L.A. River Volunteers are needed from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve for Friends of the L.A. River’s habitat restoration day and Earth Month celebration, postponed because of rain last month.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The chase reportedly ended when Buckley wrecked near the intersection of Watts and McAlister streets, an area of mostly forest about 1 1/2 miles southeast of where Buckley was first stopped.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
-
The former analyst ends up becoming a critical new addition to the gang in their mission to stop the Entity from destroying the world.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 May 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
When the first ambulance to arrive on a scene is staffed with three paramedics, the chance someone will survive is 30% greater, Gollan said.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
-
Death then seeks vengeance, since none of the students were supposed to survive the crash.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
The Milky Way galaxy will remain visible throughout the summer and even into early fall, but planning your skywatching around the darker moon phases as far from artificial light as possible is key.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 May 2025
-
Through it all, Cher has remained a woman with an incredibly sharp wit, and zero tolerance for BS.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
This puts it far ahead of current lock-on-target drone guidance in Ukraine which simply flies directly at the target.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
Washington left the event shortly after the screening began, having flown to France for the festival on his sole day off, portraying the titular role in Broadway's latest production of Othello.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
After months of delays, a resentencing hearing to determine whether the Menendez brothers should be released from prison after serving more than three decades is set to begin Tuesday.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
However, the case has been marked by a series of delays after his first trial ended in a hung jury.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
And when Ohtani became a free agent, Moreno could have said yes to the same terms the Dodgers did — 10 years, $700 million, with all but $20 million deferred.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Commissioners deferred the vote on the plan to June 9 over landscaping concerns.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share