1
as in postponing
to assign to a later time
held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
as in keeping up
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Adjective
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
-
Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Windy City has prepared for more than a week for looming National Guard deployments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, from the governor bracing for a court fight to parade planners postponing.—
Priscilla Alvarez,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For thinkers like Ratti, the time for stopping or slowing climate change has passed, and the time for climate adaptation is upon us.—
Kate Wagner,
Curbed,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The European Commission isn't stopping with financial penalties, though.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Former Klamath Tribes Chairman Jeff Mitchell, a longtime advocate for dam removal, told The Arizona Republic in 2024 that his tribe had suffered from the dams impeding salmon migration years before the downriver tribes.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
-
But that kind of government involvement carries any number of risks, like impeding overall economic growth or making US companies less competitive around the world.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at a local church and the sole surviving guest of the lunch, told last month's hearing that the death of his wife had left him bereft.—
Alasdair Pal,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The courtroom thriller dramatizes the first international tribunal against surviving Nazi leaders, probing not only their crimes but also the nature of evil itself.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Edwards will have the children for the remaining 140 days.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Down four with three minutes remaining, the Cowboys began their potential game-winning drive at their own 18-yard line.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The sterile cockpit rule prohibits pilots from engaging in conversations unrelated to operating the aircraft when flying below 10,000 feet.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Perhaps the easiest was an airplane flying overhead.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Coach Mike McDaniel said Waller was injured before Wednesday’s practice, delaying his return after spending last season in retirement.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The experts also recommend keeping devices out of bedrooms at night, establishing screen-free meals and even considering delaying access until mid-adolescence.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rhode Island and Connecticut have said that halting construction of Revolution Wind would harm the states, their residents, investments and the offshore wind industry.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The lawsuit, filed in Cole County, marks the first legal challenge aimed at halting a special legislative session designed to carve up the Kansas City region and overhaul the state’s initiative petition process.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share