1
as in postponed
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 stopped
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hampered
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 survived
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 remained
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 flew
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
an argument that won't hold up in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of held up
El Salvadoran referee Ismaael Cornejo held up the restart and checked the finish, eventually deeming Delgado offside on the Palencia cross to give the visitors life.
—
Josh Gross, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Two unrelated suspects also allegedly held up a bank in Everett.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The bipartisan package stalled in the House for over a month after the Senate unanimously passed it, held up by internal Republican disputes and Speaker Mike Johnson’s narrow majority.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
During the restoration process for the gown, the conservators found that the satin had held up well, as had the silver lace along the bottom, according to Hills.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The results of that election are currently held up in court.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Across the stands at Citi Field on Wednesday night, people held up handmade posters calling Juan Soto a savior and pleading for his help.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Arnault on Thursday emphasized LVMH's aspiration to move further into the luxury jewelry business, which has held up better amid the sector's slump as those consumers are typically wealthier and less price sensitive.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Tucker held up at second to see if Gilbert was going to run it down and only advanced to third.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Josh Gross, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Two unrelated suspects also allegedly held up a bank in Everett.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The bipartisan package stalled in the House for over a month after the Senate unanimously passed it, held up by internal Republican disputes and Speaker Mike Johnson’s narrow majority.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
During the restoration process for the gown, the conservators found that the satin had held up well, as had the silver lace along the bottom, according to Hills.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The results of that election are currently held up in court.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Across the stands at Citi Field on Wednesday night, people held up handmade posters calling Juan Soto a savior and pleading for his help.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Arnault on Thursday emphasized LVMH's aspiration to move further into the luxury jewelry business, which has held up better amid the sector's slump as those consumers are typically wealthier and less price sensitive.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Tucker held up at second to see if Gilbert was going to run it down and only advanced to third.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held up
Verb
-
When shots were fired, hundreds of attendees ducked under tables or took cover inside the ballroom before being evacuated, and the event was subsequently postponed.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
OpenAI is similarly seeking to go public as soon as this year, but that goal could be postponed depending on the trial’s outcome.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a preliminary injunction, Judge Robert Pitman stopped short of ordering a temporary air conditioning remedy.—
Leigh Waldman,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Swayman stopped the puck but had to freeze it for a defensive-zone faceoff.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s an iPad for everyone, but the platform as a whole has felt stuck for a long time, with fast and capable hardware hampered by software that doesn’t take full advantage of it.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
He’s since lost quickness and, because of his persistent injuries – he’s been hampered by hamstring issues over the last year and was questionable for Game 3 with calf tightness – never seems to have his full burst on the floor.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His conviction and sentence have survived multiple challenges.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Conway is survived by his writer wife, Laura Beth Conway, according to Marvel Comics’ tribute.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After being bossed by Paris Saint-Germain across two legs in the Champions League quarter-final, Slot insisted the future remained bright at Liverpool.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Across the country, the average price for a gallon of gas remained above $4 Friday evening.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In California, the Los Angeles County Counsel is probing allegations that State Farm delayed, underpaid and denied valid insurance claims from last year's wildfires.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Altman was buried after a private funeral on March 31, after a public service was delayed when his widow went into labor with their daughter.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for the second straight game with a clutch Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, but celebrations were briefly halted when a skirmish erupted over a controversial hit on Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The two biggest steel producers, Mobarakeh Steel and Khuzestan Steel, as well as smaller mills, halted production.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly 9 in 10 workers said burnout has hindered their productivity.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20up. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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