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
During this seemingly very important meeting, however, Altman claimed that Musk held up talks by making everyone look at memes with him.
—
Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 14 May 2026
In late 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Administration did agree to fund a $42-million buyout program for about 20 homes ruined by the land movement, but that money remains held up in a long approval process, Mihranian said.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The promise held up when Shoemaker, 64, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2021, when he was covered under the military’s health care program, TRICARE.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 May 2026
El Salvadoran referee Ismaael Cornejo held up the restart and checked the finish, eventually deeming Delgado offside on the Palencia cross to give the visitors life.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Two unrelated suspects also allegedly held up a bank in Everett.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
During the restoration process for the gown, the conservators found that the satin had held up well, as had the silver lace along the bottom, according to Hills.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The results of that election are currently held up in court.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Across the stands at Citi Field on Wednesday night, people held up handmade posters calling Juan Soto a savior and pleading for his help.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 14 May 2026
In late 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Administration did agree to fund a $42-million buyout program for about 20 homes ruined by the land movement, but that money remains held up in a long approval process, Mihranian said.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The promise held up when Shoemaker, 64, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2021, when he was covered under the military’s health care program, TRICARE.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 May 2026
El Salvadoran referee Ismaael Cornejo held up the restart and checked the finish, eventually deeming Delgado offside on the Palencia cross to give the visitors life.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Two unrelated suspects also allegedly held up a bank in Everett.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
During the restoration process for the gown, the conservators found that the satin had held up well, as had the silver lace along the bottom, according to Hills.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The results of that election are currently held up in court.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Across the stands at Citi Field on Wednesday night, people held up handmade posters calling Juan Soto a savior and pleading for his help.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
Alabama Republicans postponed four House primaries after the Supreme Court curtailed the Voting Rights Act, and now intend to run the November elections on a friendlier map.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
-
The Frost actually got an extra day off for Game 5, which was postponed a day because multiple players on the Victoire battled an undisclosed illness.—
Theodore Tollefson,
Twin Cities,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Can the textpocalypse be stopped?—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Otherwise, the Canadiens were stopped on their first shot and scored on their next three in Game 6; the Sabres were stopped on their first shot and scored on three straight against Jakub Dobeš in Game 5.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
But most summit speakers treated circularity—a nebulous concept at the best of times—largely as an engineering challenge, one hampered by immature infrastructure, policy gaps and weak economics.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
The company is seeking to create a Duchenne gene therapy that is more effective and safer than Sarepta Therapeutics’ Elevidys, which has been hampered by safety concerns, particularly following the deaths of two recipients from liver failure.—
Jason Mast,
STAT,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Jimmy Kimmel has survived a major scandal and his show is still on the air.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
Robert Isaacs has survived an eventful life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The bulk of the fans who remained after Detroit’s blowout Game 7 loss at Little Caesars Arena were there for the Cleveland Cavaliers after being bussed in by owner Dan Gilbert.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Gone was the meek servant child, replaced by a confident woman who remained composed during aggressive cross-examination.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Timelines for the deployment of solid-state and sodium-ion batteries, seen as the next step in cutting-edge technology, have been delayed, however.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
-
Waiting until major fires start often means limited options, delayed shipping and inflated prices.—
Ryan Brennan
May 19,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Last year alone, opposition stalled or halted more than $156 billion in planned construction spanning 48 data center projects, according to the research firm Data Center Watch.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
-
Proceedings in the case will likely be halted as the Attorney General’s office petitions the Kansas Court of Appeals to overturn Folsom’s temporary injunction ruling.—
Matthew Kelly
May 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The chaos that ensued has seen a clash of play styles, with some players trying to transcend their normal strategies and others falling victim to the same mistakes that have hindered their past quests for victory.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
-
White had hoped to have a college athlete career playing basketball and lacrosse but was hindered by injuries and several surgeries on her knees.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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