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
Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The plant blooms vigorously from spring through summer—no deadheading required—and holds up well through heat and drought.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Getting to day care or school pickup on time is an essential part of the parenting gig; long commutes heighten the risk of something, whether traffic or a train delay, causing a holdup.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
Suamataia holding up was one of the few things that went right.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The plant blooms vigorously from spring through summer—no deadheading required—and holds up well through heat and drought.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
He was charged in 2002 with being the getaway driver for two gunmen who killed a Brinks armored car driver, Dena Monique Daniels, during a holdup that year in Berkeley.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Getting to day care or school pickup on time is an essential part of the parenting gig; long commutes heighten the risk of something, whether traffic or a train delay, causing a holdup.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
The game last Thursday at United Center was postponed after nearly a two-hour delay, as workers attempted to dry a court fed by condensation from the ice below.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Heat was also set to use the Mitchell-Herro-Powell-Wiggins-Adebayo lineup to start Thursday’s game in Chicago before it was postponed.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Several vehicles that stopped behind her appear to belong to federal agents, based on activity observed in other videos.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The prioritization for that new safety should probably be in coverage skills, because Moehrig and Ransom are known more for their run-stopping and tackling prowesses.—
Mike Kaye
January 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Archival added that rescue efforts had been hampered by the fact that any sparks created by digging machinery could ignite methane gas emitted by the landfill, per the outlet.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Both pilots survived the crash.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To become Florida law, bills need to survive committee hearings, pass votes in the House and Senate and avoid the governor’s veto pen.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Two of the monkeys had applauded the event with hopping and grunts, but the other three had shot like arrows into the trees, chasing after the peculiar bird that had remained indifferent to their antics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
While challenges remain for buyers and sellers, housing experts say the market is beginning to stabilize.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The self-flying camera is equipped with a 4K camera capable of recording at up to 100 frames per second.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
On Wednesday, numerous commemorations and tributes occurred in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles —including flags flying at half-staff at City Hall, county buildings and at all state buildings.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Hi Lab positions HyDee as a response to those challenges by eliminating charging delays associated with battery systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, a ruling could still be deferred until later in 2026, which many Beltway insiders believe could be more realistic.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Eighty years later, the country learned what happens when maintenance is deferred.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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