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
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of hold up
Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald Editorial Boards, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Jaime, who had on a yellow reflective vest and a helmet, held up his phone near his supervisor’s and, courtesy of the FarEye app, instantly received the coördinates for the packages—a total of forty-five—he’d be delivering.
—Henry Alford, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Feb. 2026
With holdups at home, investors are exploring buildouts abroad, including in the energy-rich Gulf states.
—Jared Cohen, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
But those allegations don’t hold up.
—Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald Editorial Boards, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Jaime, who had on a yellow reflective vest and a helmet, held up his phone near his supervisor’s and, courtesy of the FarEye app, instantly received the coördinates for the packages—a total of forty-five—he’d be delivering.
—Henry Alford, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
The switch caused a brief holdup, but the deal was agreed upon on Saturday afternoon.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Feb. 2026
With holdups at home, investors are exploring buildouts abroad, including in the energy-rich Gulf states.
—Jared Cohen, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
At a time when festivals like Sol Blume, Goldensky and Breakaway have been cancelled or postponed, citing costs or unforeseen circumstances, Channel 24 credits the Sacramento community as the key to their success.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Game postponed, Sunday doubleheader scheduled Impending rain forced the postponement of the Cubs-Guardians game Saturday at Progressive Field.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Asking the engineers to stop designing a firing squad chamber for the state of Idaho to execute death-row prisoners.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Yankees went a perfect 5-for-5 with ABS challenges in Monday’s 2-1 walk-off loss to the Mariners, but that didn’t stop Boone and company from barking at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The moves have reportedly left the task force without prosecutors with national security experience, hampering its goal to root out American connections to the Hamas attacks (which included 40 Americans among its approximately 1,200 victims).—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an era when brick-and-mortar bookstores seem to be in grave peril, this charming West Village corner store, which first opened in 1968, has managed to survive.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
All people were able to survive with no life-threatening injuries.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Thunder entered the night two games ahead of San Antonio in the race for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs with six games remaining.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Even as prices rise, demand remains steady and drivers continue to feel the strain.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By then, red flags were already flying.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The pair launched a fundraiser to pay for more helicopter flying hours and advanced search gear.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Caltrans advised drivers to use the prior exit to reach their destinations and avoid delays.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As the delay stretched on, some players played cards.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His deal would have funded TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard immediately, while deferring the fight over ICE to a later vote.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Forget that Tucker is the highest annual earner in major-league history, that Ohtani agreed to defer $680 million of his salary and that the Dodgers are paying nearly $30 million to their eighth- and ninth-inning pitchers this season.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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