1
as in to postpone
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 to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to hamper
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to survive
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to remain
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
an argument that won't hold up in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
a holdup in construction due to the weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold up
Katie Akin, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
These have been fan favorites for years and our expert Tim Gideon’s review called out the audiophile-grade sound that still holds up.
—Juhi Wadia July 11, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about what the holdup could be, given that other nominations, like that of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, were pushed through within five days of Trump entering the Oval Office.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
But Sleepy Ride has held up to many intercontinental flights and made my experiences therein much more tolerable.
—Katie Akin, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
These have been fan favorites for years and our expert Tim Gideon’s review called out the audiophile-grade sound that still holds up.
—Juhi Wadia July 11, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
Noun
The holdup involves the Federal Communication Commission’s refusal to transfer Paramount’s broadcast licenses.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about what the holdup could be, given that other nominations, like that of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, were pushed through within five days of Trump entering the Oval Office.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
Investigations into the storm's impact are ongoing, and Fourth of July events in several towns have been canceled or postponed.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
By subsidizing inefficient programs and unnecessary administrators, the Golden Age of Master’s Degrees postponed higher education’s day of reckoning: the day colleges and universities will be held accountable for the economic outcomes of their graduates.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The toddler stopped crying about 15 minutes after she had been put down for a nap.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
The black box stopped recording a few seconds later.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
One of the central concerns is whether Trump administration cuts to the National Weather Service — the backbone of the country’s weather warning system — will hamper local governments and residents from staving off disaster when severe weather strikes.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Last week, during Tropical Storm Chantal, Sarah remembered a news story from Helene in which a man had managed to reach his kayak and survive the flooding, saving more than ten people in the process.—
Jessica Pishko,
New Yorker,
15 July 2025
-
The car sold at auction is one of nine built for filming, only two of which survived the production, according to Bonhams.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
The extent of the claims are documented in a 255-page affidavit that remains under seal while one co-defendant, Ying Zhang, remains free.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 July 2025
-
As of July 7, at least 10 campers and one counselor remain missing.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Passengers flying in the United States at certain airports are no longer required to take off their shoes when going through security lines, according to news outlets including CBS News and The New York Times on Monday.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
Gunn’s approach is colorful, in both its palette and the costumes; proudly fantastical, with flying orbs, robots, portals, and giant monsters; and at times endearingly, intentionally corny (see: Krypto the super dog).—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Trump in his Saturday letters to von der Leyen and Sheinbaum announced a 30 percent tariff rate on goods imported into the U.S. beginning Aug. 1, after an initial 90-day pause and deadline delay lapses on the import taxes.—
Steff Danielle Thomas,
The Hill,
12 July 2025
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Elite performances have been on display, but much of the spotlight has been on delays caused by heatwaves and lightning storms, welfare concerns from coaches and players, attendance figures and questions around commercial integrity.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Non-grantor trusts may also be used to defer or avoid state income tax.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
For example, someone who falls behind on the bills because of job loss would no longer qualify to defer student loan payments, Bañez said.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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