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
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
The United States is at a critical moment where family caregivers are holding up their families and the country's long-term care system, said Megan O'Reilly, vice president for health and family for AARP government affairs.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Despite having some huge stars attached like Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, and Niecy Nash-Betts, All’s Fair, a new legal drama from Ryan Murphy, is not holding up in the court of the critics.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
In 1981, Wuornos was arrested for holding up a convenience store for $33.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 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
Though the ball ends up bouncing off of Bad Bunny’s shoulder and dropping to the floor, the clip cuts to him holding up his new keepsake with a big smile on his face.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Many financial groups continue to report that spending is largely holding up.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
This opens up numerous applications, Ibrahim says, proudly holding up a vial of the yellow-brown slush in the lab.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
The photos show the couple's two older kids — son Charlie, 2, and daughter Grace, 5 — holding up balloon numbers of 1 and 2, while Abbie is pictured holding a series of sonogram images and the balloon number 3.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
The United States is at a critical moment where family caregivers are holding up their families and the country's long-term care system, said Megan O'Reilly, vice president for health and family for AARP government affairs.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Despite having some huge stars attached like Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, and Niecy Nash-Betts, All’s Fair, a new legal drama from Ryan Murphy, is not holding up in the court of the critics.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
In 1981, Wuornos was arrested for holding up a convenience store for $33.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 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
Though the ball ends up bouncing off of Bad Bunny’s shoulder and dropping to the floor, the clip cuts to him holding up his new keepsake with a big smile on his face.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Many financial groups continue to report that spending is largely holding up.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
This opens up numerous applications, Ibrahim says, proudly holding up a vial of the yellow-brown slush in the lab.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding up
Verb
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Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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These conditions pose challenges for travel, so exercise extra caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Federal judge Julia Kobick in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction stopping the Administration from enforcing the policy against Orr and six other individual plaintiffs in April.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Now, a passenger aircraft that can complete make the journey without stopping is in the final stages of construction, Qantas announced on Friday, releasing first images of the plane as it is assembled.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An Illinois Democratic congressional candidate posted video to social media that appears to depict events described in a federal indictment accusing her of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.—
Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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What To Know The 600 nurses, who are represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), claim the management of their hospital is impeding their ability to retain experienced healthcare workers.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The key to surviving the candy-heavy months is about balancing your sweet treats with protective measures.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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Kali and the cubs’ dad, Arnold, made Audubon Zoo history by becoming the first lion pair to have three surviving cubs in a litter.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, the report strongly suggested that he will not be paid for the remaining period of the original contract.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Where other, more conventional pest control companies still employ general, broad-spectrum spraying as a blunt instrument, Axiom relies on precision, science, and innovation to target its efforts directly at the sources of pest infestations, while remaining conscious of the wider environment.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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The wood-free Hyper Core composite walls are finished in automotive grade aluminum outer panels framed out via 11-gauge aluminum corner rails, protecting the trailer from low branches and flying debris.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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In such cases, delaying treatment may worsen the condition.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An early-morning group stop ordered by the FAA due to staffing levels, halting all flights, gave way a short time later to a delay spurred by clouds and fog.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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The cold causes bacteria to go dormant, temporarily halting their growth.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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