as in keeping up
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in postponing
to assign to a later time
held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in impeding
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 surviving
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in remaining
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 flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
an argument that won't hold up in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding up
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
After the win, Mafe celebrated with a cigar and holding up the Nigerian flag in honor of his heritage.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2026
In a story published by Politico in January, anonymous sources said that Scott, who was confirmed in his job in June, was holding up progress.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 3 Feb. 2026
Videos posted on social media show protesters chanting inside the hotel and holding up signs, while refusing to leave the lobby.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
But videos show Pretti was holding up a cellphone, not his gun, when he was approached by agents.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Videos quickly were shared online about the shooting and show Pretti holding up his phone and recording agents.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Suamataia holding up was one of the few things that went right.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The woman and the agent appear to be holding up cellphones filming each other.
—Chris Looft, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Water level changes on Catawba basin The broader Catawba River system, Jones said, is still holding up for now.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
After the win, Mafe celebrated with a cigar and holding up the Nigerian flag in honor of his heritage.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2026
In a story published by Politico in January, anonymous sources said that Scott, who was confirmed in his job in June, was holding up progress.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 3 Feb. 2026
Videos posted on social media show protesters chanting inside the hotel and holding up signs, while refusing to leave the lobby.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
But videos show Pretti was holding up a cellphone, not his gun, when he was approached by agents.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Videos quickly were shared online about the shooting and show Pretti holding up his phone and recording agents.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Suamataia holding up was one of the few things that went right.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The woman and the agent appear to be holding up cellphones filming each other.
—Chris Looft, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding up
Verb
-
Cases of norovirus were identified among Team Finland, the International Olympic Committee said last week, postponing a women’s ice hockey game with Canada.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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These conditions pose challenges for travel, so exercise extra caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When stopping roadside, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
For years, the staunchest border hawks and hard-liners justified their positions in terms of stopping unlawful immigration.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dozens of felony cases against protesters accused of assaulting or impeding federal officers have also crumbled.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Dozens of felony cases against protesters accused of assaulting or impeding federal officers have also crumbled.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The surviving group had been communicating with them via emergency beacons and iPhone SOS signals, Moon said.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The surviving group located three of the missing people deceased, and rescuers found another five people deceased.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cuba does not appear to have any remaining allies willing to supply the hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of fuel needed to power the economy.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Also, don’t be fooled by the Big 12’s midpoint remaining basically unchanged.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
House Bill 561, sponsored by Hill and focused on blocking Boise from flying a Pride flag, was sent to the House’s amending order after a debate on the House floor.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Feb. 2026
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A number of the parents who witnessed that 2024 apology are flying in from around the country in hopes of securing a courtroom seat to watch Zuckerberg’s witness testimony.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bushman, who was posted with the CDC, got a medical waiver delaying her deployment on account of stress and grief.—
Amy Maxmen,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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His company has mitigated tariff expenses by delaying store expansion and purchasing roasting equipment before the tariffs went into effect.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the meantime, the plaintiffs want a temporary restraining order halting further development of Beall’s property.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
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Gage Lattimore scored 21 points and North Carolina Central beat Morgan State 80-76 on Monday night, halting the Bears' six-game winning streak.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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