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
If Greenlaw holds up physically — always a concern — that’s likely more than the 49ers wanted to pay for a reserve.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
The water- and sweat-resistant formula holds up during long days outside, while the lightweight finish stays comfortable without pilling or turning greasy.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
If the line holds up and Kohl and Gaines are as good as advertised, the Panthers could be dangerous.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
One notable feature is the hidden bit storage compartment, which includes a magnetic base that holds up to four standard S2 bits for a total of six in the entire multitool – the original Joat stored just two.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
If the forecast high of 91 holds up, that would be about 15 degrees warmer than normal and would match the daily record for March 20 set exactly 50 years ago in 1976.
—Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Whether that outlook holds up likely will depend on how things play out in the Middle East.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The pieces knit together to form a cast iron surface that sheds water, smothers weeds and holds up for a long time.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Chet Holmgren misses a minute, and Isaiah Hartenstein holds up the rim protection.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
The water- and sweat-resistant formula holds up during long days outside, while the lightweight finish stays comfortable without pilling or turning greasy.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
If the line holds up and Kohl and Gaines are as good as advertised, the Panthers could be dangerous.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
One notable feature is the hidden bit storage compartment, which includes a magnetic base that holds up to four standard S2 bits for a total of six in the entire multitool – the original Joat stored just two.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
If the forecast high of 91 holds up, that would be about 15 degrees warmer than normal and would match the daily record for March 20 set exactly 50 years ago in 1976.
—Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Whether that outlook holds up likely will depend on how things play out in the Middle East.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The pieces knit together to form a cast iron surface that sheds water, smothers weeds and holds up for a long time.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Chet Holmgren misses a minute, and Isaiah Hartenstein holds up the rim protection.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds up
Verb
-
This is equally true of society, and disregarding this truth only postpones the moment of reckoning.—
Alec Nevala-Lee,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The system records enormous detail about decisions but often postpones the moment when those decisions are definitively validated.—
Holland Haynie,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The single item that stops new projects is when the Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO) is required, with a set-aside of 20% of the units to be rented at below market prices.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
And that’s where the problem stops being technical and starts being structural.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Experiments are also being conducted to ensure the technology survives the rigors of daily use, aiming for a lifespan of over one million cycles.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The fact that this work survives is an exhilarating triumph.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When delivered as intended, hospice remains one of the most compassionate and effective models of care in our healthcare system.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Among them was Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, which entirely terminated all its gender affirming services for minors in July and remains the only major California institution to have done so.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vertical flies under an arrangement that has been accumulating evidence toward certification for three years.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The National Guard unit flies F-16 Fighting Falcon jet aircraft.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Frey vetoed the ordinance, arguing that an eviction pause does not actually provide relief and only delays an inevitable problem.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The plan also maintains full scope Medi-Cal for asylees and other immigrant groups who were cut out of Medicaid by the federal government and delays Medi-Cal premiums for undocumented immigrants that would otherwise begin on July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2028.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
March 2 Oil and gas prices jumped during the first trading day since the strikes, as the war halts energy exports from the Middle East.—
Emma Graham,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Weather Extremes While snapdragons prefer cool weather, extreme cold, especially a late freeze, halts blooming until temperatures warm.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20up. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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