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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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as in delay
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold up
Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
When the moment came, everyone on stage held up their right hand and recited the citizenship oath.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
All leaders said significant work remains, and agreed that the budget bills for Health and Human Services, Transportation and Taxes are currently the biggest holdups.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
The win gives them momentum for the moment and should hold off any further decline in Trump's approval rating, which is not high but has held up pretty well because of his Republican base.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
When the moment came, everyone on stage held up their right hand and recited the citizenship oath.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Noun
That had caused weeks long holdups as companies navigated the new regime, fueling fears among a wide range of American industries from automobile to defense.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
All leaders said significant work remains, and agreed that the budget bills for Health and Human Services, Transportation and Taxes are currently the biggest holdups.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 5 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
-
The measure narrowly survived the Senate after a marathon session ended with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote Tuesday.—
Caitlin Yilek
July 1,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
-
To survive, pedal builders are doing something unusual in a competitive business: turning to one another for help.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 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
-
The officer was flown to a Fort Worth hospital for treatment and was later released.—
Anders Hagstrom , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
News of the autopsy report’s delay comes as family and friends gathered to lay Peoples to rest at a public funeral viewing on Friday, July 11, in Aliceville.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
After several delays and the project going on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mural got underway and now her dream has come true.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.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 19 Jul. 2025.
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