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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 hold up
Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Images from the pope’s meetings on Thursday morning showed Francis using a simple cloth sling, wrapped around his neck, to hold up his right arm.
—Reuters, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
The holdups strained initial interactions between the outgoing and incoming teams.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold up 
Verb
Online claims that firefighters were held up in Sacramento for emissions testing on their way to fight the blazes in Los Angeles are false, according to Oregon and California officials.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Images from the pope’s meetings on Thursday morning showed Francis using a simple cloth sling, wrapped around his neck, to hold up his right arm.
—Reuters, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
Disaster aid has been one of the key holdups, as leaders are expected to tack billions of dollars intended for recovery efforts from hurricanes Helene and Milton onto the forthcoming stopgap.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
The holdups strained initial interactions between the outgoing and incoming teams.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
But Goodman suffered a cut over his left eye while training, and that match was postponed until January 24.—
Josh Katzowitz,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
With those factors taken into consideration, the NBA postponed the game, with no date currently set for the game to be made up.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Identity fraud attacks rose by 73% between 2021 and 2023, and nothing seems to stop them.—
Rob Heidenreich,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Union sources said the international had been planning a disciplinary hearing for Davis which could have removed him from office, but his resignation has stopped those proceedings.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
During major emergencies that communication can be hampered by issues such as limited radio connectivity, wind noise or other technical problems.—
Christopher L. Keller,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Both homebuyers and current homeowners are hampered by today’s higher interest rates.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Sanders’ story of his Toyota Tacoma surviving the Eaton Fire went viral on social media.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
29 Jan. 2025
-
He was survived by his parents, five brothers and his wife, according to the clipping.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
As Alonso remains unsigned and his suitors dwindle, a surprising team could swoop in to sign him.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Some 41,000 people remained under an evacuation order or warning in Los Angeles County on Saturday, the sheriff’s department said.—
Chris Boyette and Michelle Watson,
CNN,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Editors are awash with clients and premium microphones are flying off the shelves.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
-
The Bears flew McCarthy in on a private plane on Jan. 15.—
Adam Jahns,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In the face of the delay of bringing the mission to its full operational strength of 2,500, the security situation continues to deteriorate.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Now, county officials are calling for an independent investigation into the delay of the evacuation alert — which comes on the heels of other issues with the emergency alert system, including erroneously calling for the evacuation of other parts of the county on Thursday, Jan. 9.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The total amount that could be deferred on a homestead is $10,000, according to the bill, which is also authored by committee chairman Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, and Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Friday on Twitter/X that Scott's contract calls for nearly half ($5.25 million) of his $11 million salary each of the next two seasons to be deferred.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hold up
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share