1
as in postponed
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 stopped
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hampered
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 survived
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 remained
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 flew
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
an argument that won't hold up in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of held up
But White Bear Lake’s defensive front held up relatively well for much of the night from there, keeping the Bears in the game.
—
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Keep in mind, however, that the Washington OL held up well against what is projected to be an outstanding Giants pass rush last Sunday.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
It’s held up beautifully, even without a top sheet underneath.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
His office has, without explanation, held up a data project that CDC scientists say would make the agency’s data more transparent.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The only odd thing during tonight’s intro at Princess of Wales was that at the end of TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey’s speech, two protesters quietly held up a sign against festival sponsor RBC (Royal Bank of Canada).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
In one of the photos, Carrigan, who's also a former professional boxer, held up mini pink boxing gloves, indicating that the couple was expecting a baby girl.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
By far the best in the land’ read another held up on two sticks.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The formulations held up under stress.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Keep in mind, however, that the Washington OL held up well against what is projected to be an outstanding Giants pass rush last Sunday.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
It’s held up beautifully, even without a top sheet underneath.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
His office has, without explanation, held up a data project that CDC scientists say would make the agency’s data more transparent.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The only odd thing during tonight’s intro at Princess of Wales was that at the end of TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey’s speech, two protesters quietly held up a sign against festival sponsor RBC (Royal Bank of Canada).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
In one of the photos, Carrigan, who's also a former professional boxer, held up mini pink boxing gloves, indicating that the couple was expecting a baby girl.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
By far the best in the land’ read another held up on two sticks.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The formulations held up under stress.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
Regardless of whether these candidates are added to the roster, Cassidy has called for the ACIP meeting scheduled for September 18 and 19 to be postponed.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that in 2024, nearly one in four adults postponed receiving health care because of the cost.—
Megan Garnai,
IndyStar,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Following input from the state environmental agency, Grayling posted a notice about the change online in August, 10 weeks after treatment stopped.—
Anna Clark,
ProPublica,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The person was taken to the hospital when the ride stopped and was later declared dead, park officials said.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The investigation has been hampered by peculiar challenges, though, perhaps none greater than the fact that the entire city in which the crime occurred has vanished.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Dry conditions have hampered quail reproduction across parts of Arizona, leading to concerns about future populations.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kirk is survived by his wife, the former Miss Arizona USA Erika Frantzve, and their two children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk is survived by his wife, former Miss Arizona USA Erika Frantzve, and their two children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Baidu, whose Hong Kong shares have gained nearly 59% this year, reported a drop in second-quarter revenue last month as its core advertising business struggled and returns from AI investments remained limited.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
In real life, Barkovskaya found the Infiniment fragrances remained unchanged on her skin for an entire day, and the smell did indeed stay on her clothes for the full 30 hours.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ten other airlines delayed between one and 19 flights.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The San Diego City Council voted 6-2 Monday to begin charging parking fees in Balboa Park for the first time, but council members delayed the start date by several months and granted many park users some major concessions.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The rule almost failed, however, when six Republicans halted action on the floor by initially voting against the procedural measure.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Though South Korea’s then President Park Geun-hye halted operations in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, the new statement explicitly absolves Pyongyang of any responsibility, and has been framed by conservatives as kowtowing to the Kim regime.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The implementation of the SCORE Act could be impeded by other types of legal challenges.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Additionally, debris removal took place, including significant debris that impeded roadways and public spaces, and damage occurred to water control facilities, utilities and parks and recreation facilities.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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