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
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
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Recent Examples of hold up
Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The Home Depot results echo early spring spending data that suggests consumers are still holding up all right — but not evenly.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The most recent holdup appears to largely stem from internal divisions in the House.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
As missile strikes, drone attacks and maritime disruptions linked to Iran ripple across the region, insurers and policyholders are scrutinizing how those distinctions hold up in practice.
—Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The Home Depot results echo early spring spending data that suggests consumers are still holding up all right — but not evenly.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Noun
His gang reportedly was involved in at least 20 murders, 100 holdups and 150 burglaries.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The most recent holdup appears to largely stem from internal divisions in the House.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
Adding to the fire is Landry's move to postpone the House primaries in the nationwide redistricting battle -- even as absentee ballots had been returned -- while keeping the Senate race on May 16.—
Gaby Vinick,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
Due to heavy rains and high water levels in the Fox River in late April, the Fox Valley Park District postponed the event, set for April 25 in order to celebrate Earth Day, to May 16.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The flotilla boats were stopped around 90-100 miles from the Gaza coastline, according to the flotilla's website tracker.—
May 19,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
Those unable to swim two lengths of the pool without stopping should have a parent remain close enough to reach them.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Jeincic also rejected CalPERS claims that the now-defunct transparency bill supported by RPEA would have significantly hampered the fund.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
-
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,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
After surviving two long series to get here, the Cavaliers have a significant amount of wear and tear, which the Knicks simply don’t have.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
To survive these transformations, rich states have resorted among other things to the ever greater exploitation, not only of poor states, but also of the human and ecological capital housed within them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Burrow has dealt with injuries throughout his career but remains one of the premier talents at the position when healthy.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
But the billionaires’ tax cuts remain.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The short-range radars track low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles that can avoid larger radar systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
-
But the upside is a breeziness that keeps the ten 40-ish minute chapters flying by, buoyed by sharp jokes and propelled by clever twists.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The delays in filling housing through the city’s lottery have knock-on effects beyond the apartments not going quickly to the people who need them.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Consumers can track a package or rideshare driver in real time, yet hospitals still struggle to reliably exchange imaging studies, authorization records and clinical documentation without delays, duplication or manual intervention.—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Sellers can opt to defer such work to the buyer and each party puts $2,500 in a city escrow account to be used by the purchaser to come into compliance.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
Though the temptation is to defer this work, the cost will show up later.—
Paul Manns,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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