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
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Recent Examples of holding up
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
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
Adjective
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
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
-
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,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The metro Detroit rallies have advocated for causes including stopping immigration crackdowns, stopping authoritarianism, health care, maintaining a positive relationship with Canada amid tariffs, declaring Detroit a sanctuary city, stopping deaths in Gaza and more.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Nihi has 25 of Sumba’s beloved sandalwood horses, released from their stable once a day to run free through the shallows, stopping to roll around in the sand and nip at each other.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump characterized the cities as in crisis and accused leaders of impeding immigration operations.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Early in the investigation, the surviving roommates were ruled out as suspects.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Built in 1901 by Fort Lauderdale’s founding family, the Stranahan House is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With exactly 11 minutes remaining, Walker dumped a screen pass off to O’Brien.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Such is life with Damian Lillard gone and with a slew of unproven guards remaining.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to a report from Clarify Capital, six-figure earners are flying economy, turning to discount grocery chains to hunt for better deals, getting thrifty with buying clothes, and scaling back on subscriptions.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Flights between the two cities are primarily used for connections for passengers flying to and from Tucson.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unusually warm and dry weather from late September into early October may be delaying peak fall color in some places, and could also result in a shorter, less vibrant season, said Adam Schneider, assistant professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, in a recent blog post.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
For many families and vulnerable individuals, the cost could be prohibitive, potentially delaying or blocking access.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Phil Rinn was among those who felt the momentum needed to continue through a general strike, halting the flow of work and consumerism until substantial changes were made.—
Stephanie Murray,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The plaintiffs in the New York suit seek a declaration that the surveillance program is unconstitutional, an injunction halting its operation, and an order requiring the government to purge any records derived from online monitoring.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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