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
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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
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
The Tigers also let up a fair share of explosive run plays despite the front seven holding up well.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 22 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
They’re topped with just the right amount of melty American cheese and a bright dijon mustard sauce on a sturdy brioche bun that holds up to the juiciness.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
The Tigers also let up a fair share of explosive run plays despite the front seven holding up well.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 22 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
-
Trump nominated him in May to lead the office of special counsel, but his appointment was postponed.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Lysons are fighting the charges, have asked for a jury trial and the case was recently postponed until December.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Wearing a floor-length brown double-breasted coat featuring buttons that stopped at her waist, the attire created a sultry thigh-high slit that allowed Jolie's leg to peek through.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Studies in animals and reports from people show that the side effects of this drug can continue even after someone stops taking it.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Laboratory testing capacities at the CDC and expert guidance to analyze local trends may also be hampered during the shutdown, experts say.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To survive, universities must reclaim their calling as moral and intellectual lighthouses, standing firm against intimidation, complacency and fear.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Apple computers have come with text-editing software since the original Mac was released, in 1984; the current iteration of the program launched in the mid-nineties and has survived relatively unchanged.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Razorbacks forced a punt and Green threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to O’Mega Blake with 2 seconds remaining to cut Texas A&M’s lead to 21-20 at halftime.—
Matt Jones,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Interim coaches typically have an uphill battle to remain the head coach long-term.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Alaska is the fifth largest US airline and flies 44 million passengers each year to 120 destinations in five countries, accoring to its website.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
As a defender in the English Premier League for 12 years, Higginbotham rarely had to fly.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some firms have scurried to ship early, but even a few days’ delay at sea could blow up their margins.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Amex travel protections vary by card type, but prominent features include trip delay and cancellation insurance, baggage protection, global assistance hotlines, and car rental loss coverage.—
Ben Kelly,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Any doubts about the team’s decision should be deferred after what Williams put on display against the Commanders.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Oct. 2025
-
But Ohtani did, showing everyone why the Dodgers were willing to pay him $700 million over 10 years, with $680 million of that money deferred.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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