HOLDS UP Synonyms: 234 Similar and Opposite Words

holds up

verb

present tense third-person singular of hold up

as in postpones

to assign to a later time held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address

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Relevance

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as in stops

to bring (something) to a standstill traffic was held up for miles by the accident

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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

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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

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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

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as in flies

to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval an argument that won't hold up in court

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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 McDowell isn’t convinced the comparison holds up. —

Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 12 June 2026 That show really holds up, though. —

Marah Eakin, Vulture, 28 May 2026 The high-strength nylon exterior is impressively durable, and the water-repellent coating holds up against rain, spills, and everyday wear. —

Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026 It’s prized for sculpting a high-definition lip that holds up under the harshest red-carpet lighting. —

Micaela English, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2026 Parking, Passes and the Resort Math Standard parking is $25 per day for a regular-sized car, and the lot holds up to 10,000 cars. —

Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026 Parking Costs and the Resort Shuttle Dollywood’s parking lot holds up to 10,000 cars, and standard parking runs $25 per day for a regular-sized car. —

Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds up

Verb

The Defense secretary said the ceasefire postpones the deadline for securing such approval.

— Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
This is equally true of society, and disregarding this truth only postpones the moment of reckoning.

— Alec Nevala-Lee, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026