as in keeping up
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in postponing
to assign to a later time
held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in impeding
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 surviving
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 remaining
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 flying
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 holding up
Julie Appleby, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The Home Depot results echo early spring spending data that suggests consumers are still holding up all right — but not evenly.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Barthélémy is beautiful, luminous, committed, and vulnerable — and therefore just about succeeds in holding up Mount Olympus as the only character with interiority across the two-hour running time.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
However, there’s more than wood holding up the Marpole.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026
But another federal agency was apparently holding up the revision.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
The photo shows Belichick, wearing a Code Black shirt and hat covered in roses, and Hudson, still sporting her cheerleading uniform, holding up three fingers for the camera.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Several feature her holding up Ironman finisher medals or plaques.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
In fact, the International Atomic Energy Agency had consistently certified Tehran was holding up its end of the bargain.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
The long view The expectation of a lower enrollment trend holding up is one of the key factors likely to translate into higher cost estimates as insurers draw up 2027 rates.
—Julie Appleby, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The Home Depot results echo early spring spending data that suggests consumers are still holding up all right — but not evenly.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Barthélémy is beautiful, luminous, committed, and vulnerable — and therefore just about succeeds in holding up Mount Olympus as the only character with interiority across the two-hour running time.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
However, there’s more than wood holding up the Marpole.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026
But another federal agency was apparently holding up the revision.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
The photo shows Belichick, wearing a Code Black shirt and hat covered in roses, and Hudson, still sporting her cheerleading uniform, holding up three fingers for the camera.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Several feature her holding up Ironman finisher medals or plaques.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
In fact, the International Atomic Energy Agency had consistently certified Tehran was holding up its end of the bargain.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding up
Verb
-
Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
-
Two additional rezoning requests covering roughly 80 acres have been repeatedly tabled, with the council postponing decisions again in March while awaiting a staff briefing on data center infrastructure and policy.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Those unable to swim two lengths of the pool without stopping should have a parent remain close enough to reach them.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
-
The storm never fully fired, and Lisius and George eventually made their way back to Arlington, stopping for tacos along the way.—
Emily Holshouser
May 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
At only 32 inches wide and just over a foot deep, this chest of drawers provides ample storage space without impeding a walkway or taking over your small bedroom.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
13 May 2026
-
The insurance industry has pushed back, arguing the bill would ultimately make coverage less affordable by impeding accurate pricing.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Nearly all of the surviving health-care facilities in the northernmost area fell on the wrong side of the partition.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Based on the remnants of the three surviving original examples, Todeschini’s weapon combines an incendiary mixture wrapped in flammable cloth that is then encased in pitch.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Now there is space for the remaining patients to occupy their seats without the self-conscious drawing-in of arms and legs that comes from sitting too close to a stranger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
With the semifinals finished, there are four teams remaining in the 2026 NBA Playoffs on the road to the NBA Finals.—
Rudie Obias,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Verb
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These include serving as a flying test bed for in orbit manufacturing of alloys, composite materials, and fibers as well as research and production of space medicine.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
-
Bystanders, including young children, were forced to corner themselves inside the restaurant to avoid being struck by the flying chairs.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Electric propulsion also enables Blitz to have a low acoustic as well as infra-red signature, delaying detection.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
Temporarily delaying action on a state law that would open the door for a lot of homes to be built across the city.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The order sent the case back to the original court, but with direction to issue an injunction preventing the hospital from halting gender-affirming care.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
-
In yesterday’s response by the EEO Leaders, the former government officials said that halting workforce data collection will undermine the EEOC’s ability to address discriminatory hiring and promotion practices.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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