1
as in postponing
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 stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in impeding
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 surviving
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 remaining
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 flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
an argument that won't hold up in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in keeping up
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holding up
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The Tigers also let up a fair share of explosive run plays despite the front seven holding up well.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The tweenager could be seen posing with her mom in a selfie outside, holding up a peace sign as the two pursed their lips for the picture.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Though the ball ends up bouncing off of Bad Bunny’s shoulder and dropping to the floor, the clip cuts to him holding up his new keepsake with a big smile on his face.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Many financial groups continue to report that spending is largely holding up.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
This opens up numerous applications, Ibrahim says, proudly holding up a vial of the yellow-brown slush in the lab.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Attendees gathered to listen to speakers, with many holding up signs in support of the Workers Over Billionaires' ethos.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
This one-piece from Quince is both flattering and durable, holding up beautifully against chlorine, salt water, and even high-speed waterslides.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In 1981, Wuornos was arrested for holding up a convenience store for $33.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The Tigers also let up a fair share of explosive run plays despite the front seven holding up well.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The tweenager could be seen posing with her mom in a selfie outside, holding up a peace sign as the two pursed their lips for the picture.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Though the ball ends up bouncing off of Bad Bunny’s shoulder and dropping to the floor, the clip cuts to him holding up his new keepsake with a big smile on his face.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Many financial groups continue to report that spending is largely holding up.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
This opens up numerous applications, Ibrahim says, proudly holding up a vial of the yellow-brown slush in the lab.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Attendees gathered to listen to speakers, with many holding up signs in support of the Workers Over Billionaires' ethos.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
This one-piece from Quince is both flattering and durable, holding up beautifully against chlorine, salt water, and even high-speed waterslides.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding up
Verb
-
Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Parias, who is charged with assault on a federal officer, was still in the hospital Wednesday, postponing his first court hearing.—
Morgan Chesky,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Look for signs like the cat stopping purring, stiffening, thrashing their tail, or hissing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Despite the logic gleaned from the accounting books arguing to the contrary, spending is showing no signs of stopping.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Six citizens were arrested for impeding and threatening to kill agents.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Martinez has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting, resisting, and impeding officers.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The key to surviving the candy-heavy months is about balancing your sweet treats with protective measures.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Kali and the cubs’ dad, Arnold, made Audubon Zoo history by becoming the first lion pair to have three surviving cubs in a litter.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But Ten Hag’s firing obliterated any remaining expectation, forcing a recalculation of what would constitute success this season — and that is very much to Hjulmand’s benefit.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
While each of these submarines is designed to carry up to 16 nuclear missiles, France only possesses 48 ballistic missiles—enough to arm three submarines, as the remaining vessel is always undergoing routine maintenance, the Nuclear Information Project said.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Air Force is repeatedly flying heavy bombers near the Venezuelan coast as a show of force, too.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Over the years, he's developed a reputation for flying vintage airplanes, even after suffering a near-death plane crash that left his right ankle and pelvis shattered and his back broken in March 2015.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Weddings are expensive, after all, and delaying the big honeymoon trip can help ease the blow by spreading out the cost.—
Jim Augerinos,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
-
For many, that means skipping checkups, delaying prescriptions, or deciding which bill not to pay.—
Linda Goler Blount,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Advocates and beneficiaries say halting the food aid would force people to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
During a government shutdown, only members of Congress are allowed to give tours of the Capitol, sparing staff from the extra work, while also halting a service provided for these offices’ constituents.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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