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
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as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
a holdup in construction due to the weather
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hold up
Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
When the moment came, everyone on stage held up their right hand and recited the citizenship oath.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
All leaders said significant work remains, and agreed that the budget bills for Health and Human Services, Transportation and Taxes are currently the biggest holdups.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
The win gives them momentum for the moment and should hold off any further decline in Trump's approval rating, which is not high but has held up pretty well because of his Republican base.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
When the moment came, everyone on stage held up their right hand and recited the citizenship oath.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Noun
That had caused weeks long holdups as companies navigated the new regime, fueling fears among a wide range of American industries from automobile to defense.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
All leaders said significant work remains, and agreed that the budget bills for Health and Human Services, Transportation and Taxes are currently the biggest holdups.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
Investigations into the storm's impact are ongoing, and Fourth of July events in several towns have been canceled or postponed.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
By subsidizing inefficient programs and unnecessary administrators, the Golden Age of Master’s Degrees postponed higher education’s day of reckoning: the day colleges and universities will be held accountable for the economic outcomes of their graduates.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The toddler stopped crying about 15 minutes after she had been put down for a nap.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Consumers should stop using the covers immediately and dispose of them.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
-
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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The measure narrowly survived the Senate after a marathon session ended with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote Tuesday.—
Caitlin Yilek
July 1,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
-
To survive, pedal builders are doing something unusual in a competitive business: turning to one another for help.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The extent of the claims are documented in a 255-page affidavit that remains under seal while one co-defendant, Ying Zhang, remains free.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 July 2025
-
Areas hardest hit by the July 4 floods—including Kerr, Llano, and Bell counties—remain at high risk.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Passengers flying in the United States at certain airports are no longer required to take off their shoes when going through security lines, according to news outlets including CBS News and The New York Times on Monday.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
After his strike flew past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, Jimenez briefly celebrated with his teammates before sitting on the turf at NRG Stadium, pulling out a Mexico jersey with Jota’s name and number (#20), and mimicking playing a video game.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Trump in his Saturday letters to von der Leyen and Sheinbaum announced a 30 percent tariff rate on goods imported into the U.S. beginning Aug. 1, after an initial 90-day pause and deadline delay lapses on the import taxes.—
Steff Danielle Thomas,
The Hill,
12 July 2025
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Elite performances have been on display, but much of the spotlight has been on delays caused by heatwaves and lightning storms, welfare concerns from coaches and players, attendance figures and questions around commercial integrity.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
The highest annual salary in the NFL is Dak Prescott’s $60 million, and the richest MLB contract is Shohei Ohtani’s at $70 million per year, although 97% of that money is deferred, which lowers the present-day value of the deal.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
-
The Pistons acknowledged there was an investigation ongoing but deferred further comment to the NBA.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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