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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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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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
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Recent Examples of hold up
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
The massive vessel still boasts the title as the world's largest cruise ship with 20 decks, 2,805 staterooms and the ability to hold up to 7,600 guests.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 15 May 2025
Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The only holdup with this trade is the fact that the Cardinals already have a decent bit of pitching in their farm system.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
The single artwork follows the theme of the track, which sees Kesha being choked by someone who holds a cigarette to her mouth, while another arm holds up a silver telephone to her ear.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
The massive vessel still boasts the title as the world's largest cruise ship with 20 decks, 2,805 staterooms and the ability to hold up to 7,600 guests.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
However, the holdup on congressional action is a lack of input from the White House, which could also opt to act unilaterally to revise existing outbound investment regulations.
—Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The only holdup with this trade is the fact that the Cardinals already have a decent bit of pitching in their farm system.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
Therefore the May revise, as it’s dubbed, is likely to contain even more expedient fixes that may postpone the day of fiscal reckoning until Newsom’s governorship ends two years hence but will continue to plague his successor and the Legislature.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
-
Weather or unforeseen circumstances could postpone the closures, the releases state.—
Gael Langdon,
Arkansas Online,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
There was no anger from the stands or the players at a 20th league defeat — everybody stopped being too concerned by their league form a long time ago.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
-
One day, a man named Harold McPherson stopped to answer her, and not long after, the two married.—
Dorothy Fortenberry,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 May 2025
-
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,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
When the first ambulance to arrive on a scene is staffed with three paramedics, the chance someone will survive is 30% greater, Gollan said.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
-
Death then seeks vengeance, since none of the students were supposed to survive the crash.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
The Milky Way galaxy will remain visible throughout the summer and even into early fall, but planning your skywatching around the darker moon phases as far from artificial light as possible is key.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 May 2025
-
Through it all, Cher has remained a woman with an incredibly sharp wit, and zero tolerance for BS.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
Books about fictional weddings fly off the shelves of bookstores, too.—
Lian Dolan,
People.com,
20 May 2025
-
Washington left the event shortly after the screening began, having flown to France for the festival on his sole day off, portraying the titular role in Broadway's latest production of Othello.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
After months of delays, a resentencing hearing to determine whether the Menendez brothers should be released from prison after serving more than three decades is set to begin Tuesday.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
The Series completed two episodes of season one before snow in Utah caused a major delay in production.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
And when Ohtani became a free agent, Moreno could have said yes to the same terms the Dodgers did — 10 years, $700 million, with all but $20 million deferred.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Commissioners deferred the vote on the plan to June 9 over landscaping concerns.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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