1
as in to postpone
to assign to a later time
held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address
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Relevance
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2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
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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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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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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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold up
Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Images from the pope’s meetings on Thursday morning showed Francis using a simple cloth sling, wrapped around his neck, to hold up his right arm.
—Reuters, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
The holdups strained initial interactions between the outgoing and incoming teams.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold up 
Verb
Online claims that firefighters were held up in Sacramento for emissions testing on their way to fight the blazes in Los Angeles are false, according to Oregon and California officials.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Images from the pope’s meetings on Thursday morning showed Francis using a simple cloth sling, wrapped around his neck, to hold up his right arm.
—Reuters, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
Disaster aid has been one of the key holdups, as leaders are expected to tack billions of dollars intended for recovery efforts from hurricanes Helene and Milton onto the forthcoming stopgap.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
The holdups strained initial interactions between the outgoing and incoming teams.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
-
But Goodman suffered a cut over his left eye while training, and that match was postponed until January 24.—
Josh Katzowitz,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
With those factors taken into consideration, the NBA postponed the game, with no date currently set for the game to be made up.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Presence follows you home, long after the camera has stopped rolling.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Identity fraud attacks rose by 73% between 2021 and 2023, and nothing seems to stop them.—
Rob Heidenreich,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Which dyes carry more risks than others is also unclear due to the lack of research and funding, which is hampered by industry lobbying, added Mande, CEO of Nourish Science, a nongovernmental organization focused on US nutrition crises.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
17 Jan. 2025
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The delay also gives the two sides time to put the lawsuit to rest, which would otherwise hamper any negotiations.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
She is survived by her children Richard, Tamsin and Julie-Kate.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Plowright is survived by her three children — Tamsin, Richard and Julie-Kate, all actors, and several grandchildren.—
Pan Pylas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As Alonso remains unsigned and his suitors dwindle, a surprising team could swoop in to sign him.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Editor’s picks The conversation also explores how certain films remain out of reach.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Bears flew McCarthy in on a private plane on Jan. 15.—
Adam Jahns,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
-
The Panthers fly out Monday afternoon to Southern California ahead of their four-game road trip that starts against the Anaheim Ducks at 10 p.m. Tuesday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In the face of the delay of bringing the mission to its full operational strength of 2,500, the security situation continues to deteriorate.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
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Even short delays can be a problem in scientific research, said Rebecca Burdine, a professor of molecular biology at Princeton University.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In effect, if not traded within the next month, the trade drama with Butler merely would be deferred until the offseason.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2025
-
Mike, though, now faces the harsh reality of a dream deferred.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hold up
Cite this Entry
“Hold up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20up. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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