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
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
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Americans are also making other sacrifices, such as delaying a job change, putting off buying a new home or postponing growing their family.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Economists warn that conflict in the Middle East risks pushing up inflation and postponing interest-rate cuts if higher energy prices rises become sustained.—
Irina Anghel,
Bloomberg,
9 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
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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 indictment includes the conspiracy count, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in federal prison, as well as several other counts of forcibly impeding a federal officer, each punishable by up to one year in federal prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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Bridges on the trail include porches so visitors can pause and admire views without impeding others passing through.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the state’s death chamber in Huntsville, Ricks apologized in his last statement to the third, surviving victim, Marcus Figueroa, who watched the execution through glass, the closest person among his relatives in an observation room to Ricks.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 12,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
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Elliott and others located the victims at Pizza City early on the morning of April 16, shooting one victim to death and shooting another surviving victim multiple times.—
Josh Davis,
Baltimore Sun,
12 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 temporary grace period delaying enforcement of the new law also applies to provisions restricting who can use which restrooms and other private spaces on government property.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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The judge had postponed her sentencing until after the trial, delaying it further until after Serafini was sentenced.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
13 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 16 Mar. 2026.
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