1
as in postpones
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 stops
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hampers
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 survives
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 remains
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 flies
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 holds up
Paired with the Country Fried Steak, an 8-ounce beef steak lightly coated, fried, and topped with white gravy, the table has something substantial that holds up as the game stretches on.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Cumming holds up his iPhone to the camera, proudly boasting about still-unseen looks in all their campy and ridiculous glory.
—Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
This teapot holds up to 32 ounces of liquid.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
As wind continues to pound the camp, a wooden pole delicately holds up the tarpaulin keeping him dry.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
Similarly, Alphabet’s rally can remain on track so long as earnings growth holds up.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Meyer's vivid descriptions paint a harrowing picture that holds up just as well as the film version's finale scenes.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
New to the service this month is the excellent 1983 adaptation of Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, a masterpiece of all-ages horror that still holds up today.
—PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
Whole milk comes out thick and lush, like the classic cappuccino topping, while oat milk holds up surprisingly well, too—creamy and stable instead of watery.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Cumming holds up his iPhone to the camera, proudly boasting about still-unseen looks in all their campy and ridiculous glory.
—Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
This teapot holds up to 32 ounces of liquid.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
As wind continues to pound the camp, a wooden pole delicately holds up the tarpaulin keeping him dry.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
Similarly, Alphabet’s rally can remain on track so long as earnings growth holds up.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Meyer's vivid descriptions paint a harrowing picture that holds up just as well as the film version's finale scenes.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
New to the service this month is the excellent 1983 adaptation of Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, a masterpiece of all-ages horror that still holds up today.
—PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
Whole milk comes out thick and lush, like the classic cappuccino topping, while oat milk holds up surprisingly well, too—creamy and stable instead of watery.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds up
Verb
-
At best, the push postpones the cross-medium renaissance Hollywood has been predicting for more than 30 years.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 Dec. 2025
-
Jeff Bezos' company postpones New Glenn launch New Glenn was fueled up and vertical on the launch pad ahead of an impending launch before Blue Origin ultimately called it off about 90 minutes after the window opened.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After the initial stomach issues subside, the toxin continues to invade the liver cells and stops them from making RNA (ribonucleic acid), which the body needs to make healing and protective proteins.—
Amy McGorry,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In turn, breathing nearly stops, and its brain activity becomes barely detectable.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Read the Story US airlines are still paring back flights as a deep freeze hampers the restart of operations at some major hubs.—
Jordan Erb,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing about this London, the London, survives the scrutiny of decent folk.—
Hari Kunzru,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Each day the Runner survives, the bounty on his head grows – and ratings go up and up.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Maurice Suh, a member of Chiles’ legal team, said in a statement that his client remains determined to keep the bronze medal she was awarded at the Paris Olympics.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Iran’s internet connectivity has been partially restored, but experts are warning that, even on the other side of the digital blackout, the outlook for Iranian internet access remains bleak.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One area that flies under the AI radar of most consumers is the processing of audio content.—
Karl Freund,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
No one confuses kilowatt-hours with productivity, yet no serious economy flies blind without tracking them.—
Noosheen Hashemi,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Defenses applied the same concepts, too, emphasizing full-court pressure, which delays the opposing attack.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The order specifically delays a 30% duty on upholstered furniture and 50% levy on kitchen cabinets and vanities, keeping in place a 25% tariff on those goods that was imposed back in September.—
Sean Conlon,Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Should any of these conditions not be met, the contract halts and notifies all relevant parties.—
Matthew Kayser,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Flights at New York City at LaGuardia Airport and JFK faced slight delays and halts Saturday afternoon.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20up. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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