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
Battery life holds up for long commutes, and Android users get the bonus of LDAC streaming.
—
Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
In practice, standardization rarely holds up.
—Kathleen Hurley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This double-wide camp chair is quilted and comfortable, with durable 600D polyester fabric that holds up to weather, spills, and even a slobbery dog (or two) climbing aboard.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Despite the show’s late 1800s backdrop, much of the material still holds up today, from Laura’s (Melissa Gilbert) teen angst to heavy storylines involving topics like grief, spirituality, addiction, and more.
—Kelly Martinez, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
While McGuire went without prosthetics, for example, Young’s war-scarred face is expertly executed — realistic and restrained, with detail that holds up to scrutiny even in the new Blu-ray’s razor-sharp imagery.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
With the right tools and a little practice, anyone can achieve a glossy, long-lasting manicure that holds up for up to two—sometimes even three—weeks.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 11 Aug. 2025
Needless to say, this more budget-friendly pick holds up—and keeps lashes lifted, too.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2025
And while the intent was understandable, performing without any concert-specific arrangements — relying solely on the original choreography and the abilities of members just two years into their debut — felt like a tall order for a venue the size of Inspire Arena, which holds up to 15,000 people.
—Billboard Korea, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2025
Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
In practice, standardization rarely holds up.
—Kathleen Hurley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This double-wide camp chair is quilted and comfortable, with durable 600D polyester fabric that holds up to weather, spills, and even a slobbery dog (or two) climbing aboard.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Despite the show’s late 1800s backdrop, much of the material still holds up today, from Laura’s (Melissa Gilbert) teen angst to heavy storylines involving topics like grief, spirituality, addiction, and more.
—Kelly Martinez, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
While McGuire went without prosthetics, for example, Young’s war-scarred face is expertly executed — realistic and restrained, with detail that holds up to scrutiny even in the new Blu-ray’s razor-sharp imagery.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
With the right tools and a little practice, anyone can achieve a glossy, long-lasting manicure that holds up for up to two—sometimes even three—weeks.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 11 Aug. 2025
Needless to say, this more budget-friendly pick holds up—and keeps lashes lifted, too.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2025
And while the intent was understandable, performing without any concert-specific arrangements — relying solely on the original choreography and the abilities of members just two years into their debut — felt like a tall order for a venue the size of Inspire Arena, which holds up to 15,000 people.
—Billboard Korea, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds up
Verb
-
Scripps continues to pursue a strategy that focuses on the northern parts of San Diego County and postpones reconstruction plans for Scripps Mercy Hospital, which operates sister campuses in Hillcrest and Chula Vista.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The panel’s decision postpones the effective dates of TPS terminations directed by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
To begin with, their source data on funding priorities stops at 2007, leaving a roughly 15-year gap where research funding can't be analyzed, but patents are still being filed.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
-
There was an awkward pause before the couple did what everyone does when an escalator stops escalating.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trump gets his headlines, and inflicts a jolt of panic, and doesn't care whether this survives first contact with the courts.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The true story of Ousman Umar, a young Ghanaian who survives a harrowing journey to Europe and finds hope in Barcelona.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
National parks appear to have weathed summer crowds despite staffing cuts, but fall remains uncertain.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The show ran for four seasons, ending in 1999, but remains a nostalgic favorite for many fans.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Vikings’ equipment won’t return to the TCO Performance Center in full until Tuesday, after the team flies home.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Fiji Airways flies to several cities in the United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and Honolulu, connecting them to Fiji and beyond.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These early shifts—less COVID vaccination; fewer options for flu, MMR, and chickenpox vaccines; and, perhaps soon, delays to the hepatitis-B schedule—may seem benign enough.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Too much light in the evening — that extra hour from daylight saving time — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync.—
Jeremy Tanner,
The Hill,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Gun-toting Henry halts the escaping car and holds the nefarious trio at gunpoint.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Antihydra almost certainly never halts.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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