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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding up
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
Last week, Xi met the leader of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the China-friendly Kuomintang, which is holding up a $40 billion special defense budget to purchase US weapons.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
He was also photographed holding up the heart emoji with his hands — a tribute to his two daughters — while being introduced ahead of the Artemis II takeoff.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
The resultant device blends fast discharge speeds with massive storage capacity, holding up to 25 times more energy per kilogram than conventional versions.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of deliberately holding up oil supplies -- claims that Zelenskyy denies.
—Lorne Cook The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Last week, Xi met the leader of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the China-friendly Kuomintang, which is holding up a $40 billion special defense budget to purchase US weapons.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
He was also photographed holding up the heart emoji with his hands — a tribute to his two daughters — while being introduced ahead of the Artemis II takeoff.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
The resultant device blends fast discharge speeds with massive storage capacity, holding up to 25 times more energy per kilogram than conventional versions.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of deliberately holding up oil supplies -- claims that Zelenskyy denies.
—Lorne Cook The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding up
Verb
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The woman, who invested and lost $141,000 with Goliath and now plans on postponing her retirement, said she was impressed by seeing TV news coverage of Delgado’s philanthropy.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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Iran has given the US a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war that includes postponing nuclear negotiations, Axios reported, citing a US official and two people with knowledge of the matter.—
Jon Herskovitz,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That led many to believe that, while treatments and crisis care are vital, the goal of suicide prevention needs to expand beyond stopping people from dying to also giving them reasons to live.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most glaring, the shrunken frame meant the steering wheel was impeding Fever’s ability to use the brake pedal.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
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Palermo pleaded guilty to one felony count of assaulting, resisting, and impeding persons assisting federal officers and employees with a deadly or dangerous weapon.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Almost immediately, the surviving trees faced trouble.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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The annoyance economy’s impact can be starker for those surviving on tighter budgets.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The village will hold on to the remaining 60%, and whoever buys the home will receive property tax breaks for 10 years.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The canoe area lies in the national forest just downstream from the mine site, raising concerns that digging could create pollution that would contaminate one of the nation’s last remaining wild areas.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When that lightsaber goes flying across the Wampa cave?—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
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JetBlue, for example, is offering $99 one-way fares for Spirit customers flying on the same route through Wednesday, May 6.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Republicans hold a narrow lead in those gerrymandering wars, and more GOP-leaning states are now either delaying primaries or mulling calling special sessions to redraw new lines.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Louisiana Republicans are now delaying US House primaries just a day after the high court’s decision.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Chicago Transit Authority is resuming normal service on the Green Line, after halting service on its western section due to an unauthorized person on the tracks near the Damen stop.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
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In an apparent effort to dutifully execute his wishes, DOJ filed a motion demanding that District Judge Richard Leon dissolve his injunction halting the ballroom project.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20up. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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