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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
a holdup in construction due to the weather
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold up
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025
The photo of Trump holding up the edited image in the Oval Office is still live on the president’s Truth Social and Instagram pages.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
The delay is due to getting external signs installed on all the grocery stores, the latest holdup in a project that has been beleaguered by construction delays.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Verb
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also called on Duffy to intervene this week, holding up the L train reconstruction as a model.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025
The photo of Trump holding up the edited image in the Oval Office is still live on the president’s Truth Social and Instagram pages.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
The holdup is coming to light after President Trump’s Justice Department last week secured a dismissal of Adams’ corruption indictment, which accused the mayor of participating in the same straw donor scheme Bahi was charged with helping orchestrate.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
The delay is due to getting external signs installed on all the grocery stores, the latest holdup in a project that has been beleaguered by construction delays.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
It will either get postponed, or prepare for the entire group not to make it out of the groupchat.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The sainthood ceremony of Carlo Acutis, a scheduled highlight of this Jubilee of Teenagers, was postponed.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Commentary: Is Trump's plan for tariff relief for automakers too late to stop global impact?—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The administration has also asked food companies to voluntarily stop using another six dyes—Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2—by the end of 2026.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Substantial reductions in funding for HIV prevention efforts could further hamper this public health messaging.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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In addition to his wife and children he is survived by a grandchild.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2025
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If this law survives, future Florida ballot initiatives will be the exclusive province of wealthy special interests with teams of lawyers and compliance experts paid by deep-pocket political committees.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, the baseline 10% tariff Trump announced April 2 will remain in effect for most U.K. imports, which could lead to higher prices for consumers.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Where to Watch Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts* remains in theaters following its May 2 release.—
Jenna deJong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Related: [These new flying taxis offer a glimpse at our future commutes] But those use cases are still a far cry from the vision many futurists have of personal flying cars swarming city skies.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
8 May 2025
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The shutting down of airports was potentially embarrassing for Moscow, as delegations from countries that have remained friendly to Russia were flying in to attend the parade on Friday.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Since then, multiple factors have converged to drive up costs, including rising costs of materials, construction delays, changes in the design and site problems.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends health care providers screen for regular developmental delays at 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months, says Dr. Chong.—
Sherri Gordon, CLC,
Parents,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Ticketmaster deferred revenue was $270 million, up 13 percent compared to 2024.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
1 May 2025
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By deferring taxes, your investment returns compound faster since they aren’t reduced by annual tax payments.—
Bob Chitrathorn,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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