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
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
For more privacy, be sure to book the private caboose, which can hold up to six passengers.
—Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 Sep. 2025
So, what's the Rockets' holdup?
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
Though the ball ends up bouncing off of Bad Bunny’s shoulder and dropping to the floor, the clip cuts to him holding up his new keepsake with a big smile on his face.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
For more privacy, be sure to book the private caboose, which can hold up to six passengers.
—Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Roy indicated there was progress in assessing leadership’s plan on how to handle spending after conversations on the House floor during the holdup.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 Sep. 2025
So, what's the Rockets' holdup?
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
Netanyahu faces corruption charges, although several hearings have been postponed during the conflict with Hamas.—
Darlene Superville,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The European Broadcasting Union has postponed a vote on Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, citing recent developments in the Middle East.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But her six-figure salary didn’t stop her from using the Foundation as her personal piggy bank, records show.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Witkoff, Rubio, and Kushner then streamlined the proposal to a two-phase structure—first, a ceasefire and exchange of hostages and prisoners to stop the fighting; second, a framework for Gaza's future, including disarmament and a technocratic transitional government.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Stephanie Lulay, executive editor and cofounder of Block Club Chicago, said the newsroom’s coverage of the protests has been hampered.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
His lack of strength also hampers him on defense.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Although exact details have yet to be released, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that Hamas is expected to release all 20 surviving hostages this weekend, while Israeli forces begin withdrawing from most of Gaza.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The death of a long-term spouse has been associated with illness and even death in the surviving partner.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With more than 600 million copies of the books sold worldwide, and everything related to them continuing to do well years after the initial release of the books, one wonders how this series remains popular despite the deluge of young adult novels (and controversy) that followed it.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Yousef Obeid kicked a 25-yard field goal with just over four minutes remaining to put the Bears up for good in Murfreesboo, Tennessee.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What has lived as a secret sauce inside Carlyle for more than a decade might now inform policymakers flying blind.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Kansas City Southwest passengers can already fly nonstop to 41 cities, according to the MCI airport website.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Package cannot clear due to customs delay or missing info.—
Kayla Steinberg,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Laurene Allen, an environmental advocate who lives in Merrimack, New Hampshire, where PFNA was one of several forever chemicals discovered in drinking water in 2016, was awaiting the report and is frustrated and enraged by its delay.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Core questions—borders, sovereignty, refugees—are deferred.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
-
According to trade experts, payments on these new tariffs can be deferred until December 10 but the fees will begin applying on October 14.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share