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
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
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
The woman and the agent appear to be holding up cellphones filming each other.
—Chris Looft, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
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
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
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At the last minute, just before the resolution was to be voted on in the House, the Clintons agreed to sit for a deposition, postponing further consideration of a contempt vote.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
27 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,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The video, shared by the Chino Police Department, shows two vehicles stopping at a red light in front of and behind a big rig on Friday.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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Eventually Trump himself entered the hall—now as quiet as a library—and began making his way very slowly down the red carpet with the First Lady, stopping every few steps to take a question.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bill Essayli, federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have aggressively charged protesters with assaulting and impeding the actions of immigration agents, filing more than 100 cases.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Homan said nearly 160 people were arrested in the month of January for impeding or assaulting federal officers.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sam has captivated the Las Vegas community after surviving in the desert for months.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Cardiac arrest survival rates are low, with about 10% of patients surviving a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, according to the American Heart Association.—
Alexandra Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mazzulla emptied his bench with four minutes remaining, sending in rookie John Tonje for his NBA debut and veteran Dalano Banton for his first minutes as a Celtic this season.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
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Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a deep pot over high heat.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The violence captured on cellphone videos and shared around the globe – buses burning, gas stations attacked, military helicopters flying overhead – wasn’t just happening in remote rural towns long plagued by drug violence.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Shorts and T-shirts Buyers are already looking ahead to the warmer months, which is why even summer staples like shorts and t-shirts are currently flying off shelves.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cold temperatures can make oil thicker, delaying its flow.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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Bazaldua has argued that the city may save money by having the WNBA team play and practice at existing facilities, as building new ones and delaying the projects increases costs.—
Myah Taylor,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After arriving on Netflix and Peacock, the flagship show unexpectedly broke streaming records and topped Nielsen's streaming charts for months on end in the midst of the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes essentially halting production and postproduction on new shows.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
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Let your inner animal roar with a traffic-halting color and an even bolder print.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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