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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holds up
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
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
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
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
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
-
Still, this has always been a very personal conflict between Yennefer and Vilgefortz, which is why Vilgefortz finally stops letting his minions do all the fighting and jumps through the portal himself.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Your insides become weightless, like when a fast elevator suddenly stops, or a plane drops from turbulence.—
Stephanie Land,
Time,
30 Oct. 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,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of his victims survives long enough to warn Point Man about someone named Alma.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Their firstborn son, Finnley Tate, age 10, survives, surrounded by loving family.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For his part, Carney said his government remains ready to continue talks to reduce tariffs in certain sectors.—
Rob Gillies,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Affordability was a central concern for voters in the 2024 presidential contest and remains relevant in the run up to the 2026 midterms, especially among younger voters.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The flag of the Wilton Rancheria now flies alongside Elk Grove’s city flag in what leaders said is a historic moment for both city and tribe.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The Taurid meteor shower blooms when Earth flies through debris left behind by Comet 2P/Encke.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Department officials later told her in texts and emails that delays completing the more detailed review of Rochelle’s home were her fault.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
-
But that was before the arrival of teplizumab, a monoclonal antibody approved in late 2022 that delays the advance of the illness and may even halt it at stage 2 in some people.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This designation halts outpatient and elective procedures and ensures more beds are open for emergencies.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Park websites and social media accounts also go dark, fire management plans are paused, and wildlife tracking halts midseason.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20up. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share