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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The video, which is less than two minutes long, shows the teen being pushed and held up against farm equipment before being wrestled down to the ground by another young male.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Officers received a report of the holdup at the American Eagle Financial Credit Union at 1245 New Britain Ave.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
That gives me confidence this fabric will hold up over years of daily use.
—Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The video, which is less than two minutes long, shows the teen being pushed and held up against farm equipment before being wrestled down to the ground by another young male.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
Malik said the latter nonprofit, which fully funds her organization, has told her the holdup is occurring at the federal level.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Officers received a report of the holdup at the American Eagle Financial Credit Union at 1245 New Britain Ave.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
It was postponed indefinitely due to the federal takeover threat.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Fall weather isn't stopping the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as its crews are set to begin a number of construction work across the state.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Good Fortune follows Reeves as an angel, Gabriel, tasked by his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), with stopping humans from dying while texting and driving.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Currently, only 37% of the more than 5 million tons of trash generated in the county each year is recycled — and even that is hampered by a 40% contamination rate.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite staff layoffs affecting about 300 employees, industry analysts say Condé Nast still faces high pressure to continue restructuring and invest in digital innovation to survive long term headwinds.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Leeds are tipped to survive the drop after adding Premier League experience and European talent to their ranks.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Spoon batter into pan, smooth top, and sprinkle streusel and remaining pecans.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
-
After defeating the Twins, the Royals remained just a game behind the Seattle Mariners (74-68) for the third and final wild-card spot.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Compost for Life uses black soldier fly larvae to break down organic material.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Neutrogena Clean Face Oil-free Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Recor prefers this oil-free SPF for his face while flying.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Fans booed the delay from the stands at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a brief exchange with reporters before departing Miami for Mexico City, Rubio deferred questions about the specifics of the strike to the Pentagon.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Ideally, scientists should defer the creation of mirror life.—
LIYAM CHITAYAT,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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