1
as in postponing
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 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
as in keeping up
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding up
Rob Wile, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
This opens up numerous applications, Ibrahim says, proudly holding up a vial of the yellow-brown slush in the lab.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Joined by cohost Craig Melvin, the 53-year-old anchor was innocently interacting with fans at New York City's Rockefeller Plaza on Wednesday when Melvin spotted a woman holding up a poster of Guthrie sporting her '90s-era black bob.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
Attendees gathered to listen to speakers, with many holding up signs in support of the Workers Over Billionaires' ethos.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
This one-piece from Quince is both flattering and durable, holding up beautifully against chlorine, salt water, and even high-speed waterslides.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025
In really wintry weather the turbo-charger wastegate can freeze due to moisture, but in general the turbos seem to be holding up.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
The series of black-and-white photos showed the then-family of four in different poses and holding up a sonogram strip.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Many financial groups continue to report that spending is largely holding up.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
This opens up numerous applications, Ibrahim says, proudly holding up a vial of the yellow-brown slush in the lab.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Joined by cohost Craig Melvin, the 53-year-old anchor was innocently interacting with fans at New York City's Rockefeller Plaza on Wednesday when Melvin spotted a woman holding up a poster of Guthrie sporting her '90s-era black bob.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
Attendees gathered to listen to speakers, with many holding up signs in support of the Workers Over Billionaires' ethos.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
This one-piece from Quince is both flattering and durable, holding up beautifully against chlorine, salt water, and even high-speed waterslides.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025
In really wintry weather the turbo-charger wastegate can freeze due to moisture, but in general the turbos seem to be holding up.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
The series of black-and-white photos showed the then-family of four in different poses and holding up a sonogram strip.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
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,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Windy City has prepared for more than a week for looming National Guard deployments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, from the governor bracing for a court fight to parade planners postponing.—
Priscilla Alvarez,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With conditions restored on the 236-meter flight deck, Barone made multiple warm-up passes to heat the SF90’s V8 engine and then launched from the aft end, stopping safely before ascending the ramp.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In 2020 and 2021, many endorsed the deplatforming of Covid skeptics and election conspiracy theorists, arguing that there was a public interest in stopping misinformation.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some conservatives have pushed for green card holders like Öztürk or Mahmoud Khalil, who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, to face deportation, sparking criticism from free speech advocates who view those calls as impeding on their First Amendment rights.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was issued a red card in the 38th minute for impeding Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha in the box.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
See where the cast of the fan-favorite film ended up after surviving Herrington High's alien invasion.—
Keith Langston,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
-
At Miramontes’ May 9 arraignment, the prosecutor said those surviving victims identified him as the homicide suspect based on his tattoos and a police photo lineup.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The remaining 98% can be modified through lifestyle factors like sleep, meditation, exercise, nutrition, and stress management.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
With fuel costs remaining steady the last few months and less expensive than earlier in 2025, the number of states averaging less than $3 per gallon has increased compared to 2024.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The final result needed to be invisible, weightless, scentless, and makeup-gripping, all of which were achieved with flying colors—actually, with no color at all since the formula is completely clear on all skin tones.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Before flying, check your airline’s website for more details on what’s allowed.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Most employees would fear losing their chance to be reimbursed, even at the expense of delaying activities linked to their primary job.—
Rohan Joshi,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Pediatrician medical groups argue delaying this birth dose until one month of life would leave the opportunity for babies to be missed if they are born to a mother infected with the virus or from a close contact soon after birth.—
Sony Salzman,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The House spending bill would use that power as a cudgel, halting congressional approval of FASB’s budget (see page 108) until the accounting agency repeals its new disclosure rules.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
According to an Associated Press (AP) report, the strike took place as Hamas leaders met in Qatar’s capital to consider a proposal aimed at halting the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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