as in delays
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
a holdup in construction due to the weather
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Recent Examples of holdups
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas recorded 112 delays as of the afternoon, with the holdups lasting between 16 and 30 minutes over wind disruptions.
—
Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The city comptroller has launched an investigation into City Hall’s handing of outdoor dining permits, raising concerns about procedural holdups that could be preventing hundreds of restaurants from opening up en plein air seating this spring.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
But there are some potential holdups.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Police have also charged 32-year-old Guardy Roman in connection with two of the holdups reported last fall.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
His gang reportedly was involved in at least 20 murders, 100 holdups and 150 burglaries.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
With holdups at home, investors are exploring buildouts abroad, including in the energy-rich Gulf states.
—Jared Cohen, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
In her opinion, the holdups, delays and claim denials point to the city of Fort Worth trying to save money on treatment costs.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2026
The rollout of these drone delivery programs has been infrequent due to regulatory holdups regarding the safety of the technology, and the ability for drones to operate in poor weather conditions.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The city comptroller has launched an investigation into City Hall’s handing of outdoor dining permits, raising concerns about procedural holdups that could be preventing hundreds of restaurants from opening up en plein air seating this spring.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
But there are some potential holdups.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Police have also charged 32-year-old Guardy Roman in connection with two of the holdups reported last fall.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
His gang reportedly was involved in at least 20 murders, 100 holdups and 150 burglaries.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
With holdups at home, investors are exploring buildouts abroad, including in the energy-rich Gulf states.
—Jared Cohen, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
In her opinion, the holdups, delays and claim denials point to the city of Fort Worth trying to save money on treatment costs.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2026
The rollout of these drone delivery programs has been infrequent due to regulatory holdups regarding the safety of the technology, and the ability for drones to operate in poor weather conditions.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdups
Noun
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If a fetus becomes infected, toxoplasmosis can lead to a range of health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, jaundice or other liver problems, abnormal blood counts, rashes, eye disease, developmental delays, seizures, brain calcification, and in extreme cases, stillbirth.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened in late 2023, after years of construction delays, and quickly took its place as a resort built for a different kind of Vegas visitor.—
Winston Ross,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Visitors can make a free same-day reservation for shorter entry waits or wait in a typically longer standby line.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
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Unsurprisingly, sci-fi and fantasy titles that require considerable VFX work tend to be the shows that have the longest waits.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdups. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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