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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding up
Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The woman and the agent appear to be holding up cellphones filming each other.
—Chris Looft, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
The photos show the couple's two older kids — son Charlie, 2, and daughter Grace, 5 — holding up balloon numbers of 1 and 2, while Abbie is pictured holding a series of sonogram images and the balloon number 3.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
The United States is at a critical moment where family caregivers are holding up their families and the country's long-term care system, said Megan O'Reilly, vice president for health and family for AARP government affairs.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Despite having some huge stars attached like Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, and Niecy Nash-Betts, All’s Fair, a new legal drama from Ryan Murphy, is not holding up in the court of the critics.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
In 1981, Wuornos was arrested for holding up a convenience store for $33.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
Suamataia holding up was one of the few things that went right.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The woman and the agent appear to be holding up cellphones filming each other.
—Chris Looft, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
The photos show the couple's two older kids — son Charlie, 2, and daughter Grace, 5 — holding up balloon numbers of 1 and 2, while Abbie is pictured holding a series of sonogram images and the balloon number 3.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
The United States is at a critical moment where family caregivers are holding up their families and the country's long-term care system, said Megan O'Reilly, vice president for health and family for AARP government affairs.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Despite having some huge stars attached like Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, and Niecy Nash-Betts, All’s Fair, a new legal drama from Ryan Murphy, is not holding up in the court of the critics.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
In 1981, Wuornos was arrested for holding up a convenience store for $33.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
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
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 Jan. 2026
-
Read All About It Nick Reiner’s lawyer withdrew from the case, postponing an arraignment hearing on the killings of movie director Rob and his wife Michele.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Rhode founder and her stylist Dani Michele delivered a show-stopping moment on the red carpet, pulling a shimmering 2009 Armani Privé gown from the archives.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Stroll through the Funk Zone, stopping at wineries, breweries, and local shops along the way.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For a more permanent setup, mounting it on the ceiling keeps the projector out of the way and minimizes the risk of people, pets, or objects impeding the projection.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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Agitators directing traffic and impeding law enforcement activity in Minnesota are drawing sharp criticism from a former police official, who warns the scenes signal a dangerous normalization of obstruction that threatens public safety and the rule of law.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout both films, Stern's Marv is subjected to some of the worst obstacles set up to protect Keven, including stepping on a nail barefoot, taking a hot iron to the face and bricks to the head, and surviving an electrocution.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Jan. 2026
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Removing combustible materials from Zone 0 is one of the most practical steps to reduce risk and improve a structure's likelihood of surviving extreme wildfire exposure.—
Amanda Hari,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Squeeze Burger announced Tuesday that its sole remaining brick-and-mortar in Roseville is set to close later this month, after its proposal for a new lease was reportedly denied.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Minimal leather totes hold far more than a lip gloss, think books, laptops, and an extra layer, while remaining polished and understated.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hall was in net when Boston's Bobby Orr scored in overtime to win the Cup for the Bruins in 1970, a goal that's among the most famous in hockey history because of the flying through the air celebration that followed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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While some travelers praise the trend for reducing stress and avoiding baggage fees, others say flying without bags is unrealistic for longer trips or work travel.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Since oxygen is the culprit, the trick to delaying the browning process is to shield the flesh from oxygen exposure.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
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But a weaker-than-expected first quarterly earnings report in September was followed a week later by a testing explosion that destroyed a rocket stage — delaying an upcoming launch — and sent the company’s stock plummeting to about $20.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The performer delivered her opening monologue in a traffic-halting dress that featured a strapless neckline, thigh-high slit, and huge cloud-like skirt.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Their ignorance makes these militiamen quite ineffective at halting their own intelligence breaches.—
Elizabeth Tsurkov,
The Atlantic,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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