holding up 1 of 2

present participle of hold up
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as in flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval an argument that won't hold up in court

Synonyms & Similar Words

holding up

2 of 2

adjective

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holding up
Adjective
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 Joined by cohost Craig Melvin, the 53-year-old anchor was innocently interacting with fans at New York City's Rockefeller Plaza on Wednesday when Melvin spotted a woman holding up a poster of Guthrie sporting her '90s-era black bob. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025 Attendees gathered to listen to speakers, with many holding up signs in support of the Workers Over Billionaires' ethos. Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Sep. 2025 This one-piece from Quince is both flattering and durable, holding up beautifully against chlorine, salt water, and even high-speed waterslides. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025 In really wintry weather the turbo-charger wastegate can freeze due to moisture, but in general the turbos seem to be holding up. John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025 The series of black-and-white photos showed the then-family of four in different poses and holding up a sonogram strip. Kayla Grant, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding up
Verb
  • Sharon eventually canceled the farewell tour after repeatedly postponing the dates, and Ozzy continued to steadily deteriorate.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That suit, which Lukenbill’s attorneys Brad Carroll and Michael Laino filed July 11, was primarily concerned with stopping efforts by the city to limit occupancy at the bar.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Chappell Roan’s new hair color Based on reviews of the New York shows, KC audiences should expect show-stopping moments, a new hair color for the famous redhead, an emotional speech of thanks and perhaps a special guest.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Turmail pointed to the Brent Spence Bridge’s paralyzed development as a prime example of regulations, including permitting requirements, impeding progress.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
  • According to my company's 2025 IT Trends Report, 44% of IT professionals cite a lack of real-time visibility into network connectivity as a primary factor impeding their productivity.
    Douglas Murray, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • All five surviving victims were stable as of Sunday afternoon and their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, police said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Their reward for surviving the first week of class would be a front-row seat to another likely humiliation.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The remaining 10,000 had no income cap.
    Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • But Dortmund’s toughest tests are yet to come, with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter among their remaining opponents.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • What To Know Schleswig-Holstein's interior minster, Sabine Sütterlin-Waack, confirmed that drones were seen flying above the coastal state just south of Denmark overnight into Friday, September 26, and that the incident is under investigation for potential sabotage or espionage.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The shutdown means the Fed will be partially flying blind with investors expecting the central bank's second rate cut of the year later this month and another decrease in December.
    Sean Conlon,Pia Singh, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The federal government shut down Wednesday, delaying pay for federal workers (of whom there are 25,000 in Indiana), placing question marks on the financial health of federal aid programs like SNAP and WIC, and causing mass confusion and limbo in immigration court.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The year Goldberg-Polin and her family arrived in Israel, the country launched Operation Cast Lead, a massive military operation aimed at halting intensifying Hamas mortar, missile and rocket fire terrorizing southern Israeli communities.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Attorneys for the Justice Department argued that halting the reallocations could delay distributing the funds to other states DHS had identified as higher priority under its new approach.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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