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
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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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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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold up
Tony East, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Most of the options with this functionality in our list can hold up to 60 days’ worth of debris.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Another potential holdup in an A’s-to-KC transition: The Kansas City Blues had been the Yankees’ top farm team.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
But Carlisle has done well to always plant one of his stars on the floor this series, and mixed starter-reserve units have held up.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Most of the options with this functionality in our list can hold up to 60 days’ worth of debris.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
Teacher evaluations, one of the last holdups in negotiations, will be adjusted to a three-year cycle for tenured teachers who have been with the district for over 19 years.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Another potential holdup in an A’s-to-KC transition: The Kansas City Blues had been the Yankees’ top farm team.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
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It will either get postponed, or prepare for the entire group not to make it out of the groupchat.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
29 Apr. 2025
-
But if the alert lasts more than 30 minutes, the screening is postponed.—
Sonya Vseliubska,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Commentary: Is Trump's plan for tariff relief for automakers too late to stop global impact?—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
Diabetes insipidus is treated by drinking enough water to stay hydrated, and may also include taking medications or stopping or adjusting certain medications.—
Danielle Weiss,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The dissatisfaction simmered for years, hampering efforts to combine the automakers fully.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The saying goes that the only things to survive the apocalypse will be Twinkies and roaches.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Medics rushed the mom to Richmond University Medical Center where she’s expected to survive.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Whether cooking for Hollywood stars or crafting simple dishes for his audience, Arya remained grounded in the belief that true success comes from being real, not manufactured.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Of his 47 arduous Apostolic Journeys, the one to Iraq in 2021, defying every risk, will remain particularly memorable.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Chicago nearly tied it when Edgar Quero flew out to deep right field on a ball Lawrence Butler caught right in front of the wall.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Conerly and several family members flew from Seattle to the other Washington.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The game resumed after the delay, and the Pirates beat the Cubs 4-3.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
The delay in these markup hearings leaves little time for passage.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Companies like Resource Royalty LLC have made these investments more accessible, particularly for those utilizing 1031 exchanges to defer taxes and diversify their portfolios.—
Fred Hubler,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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The price tag of Black motherhood isn’t just about dollars and cents, but about dreams deferred and choices no one should have to make.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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