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
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Despite the concerns about the impact of tariffs, the economy has held up much better than many expected.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 27 July 2025
John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 4 June 2025
Among the key holdups in the negotiation process was finding a plan that the Unified Government could afford while also keeping up with key deadlines, Miles told the commission.
—Sofi Zeman
july 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
Some protesters hold up pictures of the hostages and call on the government to end the war and bring them home.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Despite the concerns about the impact of tariffs, the economy has held up much better than many expected.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 27 July 2025
Noun
Searching for the source of the gunfire, police came upon Baker, who said he and his friend had been fired on during a holdup attempt, and the friend, Hudson, had been wounded.
—John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 4 June 2025
Among the key holdups in the negotiation process was finding a plan that the Unified Government could afford while also keeping up with key deadlines, Miles told the commission.
—Sofi Zeman
july 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
After two court rulings blocking the city’s attempt to postpone the November 2025 election to 2026 without voter approval, one Miami commissioner isn’t giving up.—
Tess Riski
August 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The repeat of a tragedy was something the NFL prepared for in February when New Orleans hosted Super Bowl 59 weeks after a former Army veteran killed 14 people by hitting them with a rental pickup truck in a terrorist attack on Jan. 1, postponing the Sugar Bowl for one week.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The tour next stops Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 5-6, in Toronto and will run through Dec. 7 in Abu Dhabi.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The researchers did not clarify whether breaking down brain glycogen could stop human brain cells from dying, Okun noted.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 July 2025
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
In the show, two chefs divide a group of struggling culinary hopefuls into opposing teams and sharpen their cooking skills through tips and tutorials so that a cook from their team can survive elimination and walk away with a sweet-as-pie cash prize of $25,000.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
-
Keep your eyes peeled for the famous herd of Banker horses, thought to be descended from those that survived Spanish shipwrecks 500 years ago.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Opened by Crista Luedtke over fifteen years ago, boon eat + drink remains one of Guerneville’s essential dinner spots.—
Keyla Vasconcellos,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Sections of the park that will remain open include Funland, the golf course, the pickleball courts, tennis courts, disc golf area (red and blue courses), pavilion rentals and the Arkansas River Trail.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The carrier flies to more than 20 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico, A public charter air carrier, JSX provides service to both major airports like Burbank and Las Vegas and to those not served by major airliners.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
Holder Hugh Robertson handled the snap cleanly, and Olano’s kick flew between the goal posts.—
Sam Brief,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
So there’s some good news for Samsung users who would otherwise continue to harbor frustration at the company’s latest Android upgrade delays—maybe.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The timeline for commercial production remains uncertain and subject to indefinite delays due to technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles.—
Kevin Green,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Spring Hill's board has deferred a second reading on the measure to August so officials could gather more information.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 July 2025
-
Even as police do their job, cases are dropped, charges are delayed, and justice is deferred.—
Marc Molinaro,
New York Daily News,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share