as in keeping up
Related Words
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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
Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
This storage rack fits onto most car roof racks, capable of holding up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Other Democrats protested by holding up signs and wearing statements on their clothing or walking out of the chamber altogether.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The outlet-exclusive style, on sale for under $40, is the ultimate travel essential, holding up to 52 liters.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
The company said growing demand for power, supply chain and other issues holding up new power sources and plant outages contributed to the need to keep Comanche 2 open longer than planned.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
This storage rack fits onto most car roof racks, capable of holding up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Other Democrats protested by holding up signs and wearing statements on their clothing or walking out of the chamber altogether.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The outlet-exclusive style, on sale for under $40, is the ultimate travel essential, holding up to 52 liters.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding up
Verb
-
Tabling the bill means legislators are postponing the matter and might not revisit it this session, but could bring it up again later.—
Morgan Matzen,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Ekko Astral are postponing their second album, The Beltway Is Burning.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rather than stopping disagreements from happening, this aspect is about repairing any damage left behind.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Tuesday’s game featured intentional clock-stopping, game-extending fouls by the Heat.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The incident resulted in a ticket for impeding traffic, for which she was ordered to pay $197 after pleading no contest in Orange County court on Monday.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Gomez was standing to Hermansen’s right, and Ibrahima Konate to his left, but neither seemed to be impeding any less than Robertson had been deemed to be against City.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Filip Hronek surviving fine without Quinn Hughes Before the Quinn Hughes trade, Filip Hronek had a 47 percent xG while scoring at a 42-point pace.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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History buffs will appreciate the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a 1920s estate with tropical charm, and the Stranahan House Museum, the city’s oldest surviving home.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Oracle's earnings call came after the company reported better-than-expected results, lifted its fiscal 2027 guidance and said remaining performance obligations more than quadrupled to $553 billion from a year earlier.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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The winner will serve out the remaining months of Greene's term.—
JEFF AMY AND SOPHIE BATES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Keep reading to discover all the best fashion sneaker collaborations to scoop up this spring—they’re already flying.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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According to Diio by Cirium data, the airline is flying more than 1,100 flights at the airport this month.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The union is calling for an inflationary increase to wages effective July 1, while Cassellius has proposed delaying inflationary raises until January to save money.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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The inspector general accused the department of blocking long-standing access to internal DHS databases used for oversight work, restricting data related to border enforcement and TSA programs, and delaying access to classified intelligence systems.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His comments came after Putin asked the government and companies to consider halting gas supplies to the European market without waiting for an import ban.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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That’s massively good news after his 2023 season ended early thanks to a ruptured Achilles in Week 12, halting what was looking to be his best professional season.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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