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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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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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
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
The bill passed and was signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, though it has since been held up by challenges in court.
—Jacey Fortin, New York Times, 4 Dec. 2024
CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024
But intractable holdups, over who and how many people should be released from each side and over a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, prevented a deal — and that was before the latest hostage killings.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold up 
Verb
But Erivo is holding up her commitment to protecting Grande.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
The bill passed and was signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, though it has since been held up by challenges in court.
—Jacey Fortin, New York Times, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
The holdup caused a public outcry because the rule changes are intended to help the Agriculture Department stem the movement of commodities infested by pests, including coconut rhinoceros beetles.
—CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024
But intractable holdups, over who and how many people should be released from each side and over a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, prevented a deal — and that was before the latest hostage killings.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold up
Verb
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And that is why, in order to get sustainable peace, Ukraine have to get security guarantees which not provide Russia opportunity just to postpone this goal, but to make Russia impossible to achieve this goal in future.ABC NEWS, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2024
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The defence team has repeatedly sought to postpone proceedings since the trial began, nearly five years ago, citing Israel's precarious defence situation since the 7 October Hamas attacks.The Week UK, theweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Some Broad Ripple Starbucks lovers woke up to a surprise Thursday morning while stopping to grab a cup of Joe.Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024
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Prisons were uniquely bad for spreading the virus and some inmates were released in part to stop the spread.Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For years, Kazakhstan has worked with Jewish groups to repeal Cold War-era legislation hampering trade with the United States.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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Shacks and buildings were left completely destroyed when the cyclone struck the nation hampered by poverty.Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But Roz teaches the animals to act against their nature—to befriend one another, accept Brightbill, and work together to survive.Elvia Wilk, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
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By emphasizing the long-term game, DEI work can better survive the short-term backlash.Julie Kratz, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In the wake of Friday's news, TikTok content creators are wasting no time advising followers to find them on other platforms, as the social media app's future remains murky.Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, as rescuers remain focused on nursing the Muddy River's wildlife back to health, officials are continuing their investigation into the cause of the spill.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The 30-year-old Hawaii native was flying from Maui to N.Y.C. with a connection at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Nov. 8.Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
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After the fall of Hosni Mubarak, ordinary Egyptians brought paint cans from home to Tahrir Square, to re-mark the curbs that had been flaked from years of government neglect, and abraded by tanks and flying bricks during the protests.Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And that means more time, which might make the delay to millions of upgrades more palatable.Zak Doffman, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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Customer services from the Social Security Administration (SSA) could be subject to delays in 2025 if funding is agreed on by lawmakers before the end of the year.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Federal officials would not provide details about the patient’s symptoms, deferring all inquiries to Louisiana’s Department of Public Health. Emails and calls to that agency went unanswered.Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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In the last admissions cycle, approximately 83% of those who applied to Harvard early were deferred.Christopher Rim, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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 21 Dec. 2024.
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