hold up vs defy

hold up and defy both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
hold up	No	No	Yes	No
defy	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, hold up and defy are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of hold up include hold, withstand.

hold up (verb)	defy (verb)
cause to be slowed down or delayed	challenge
be the physical support of; carry the weight of	resist or confront with resistance
hold up something as an example; hold up one's achievements for admiration	elude, especially in a baffling way
rob at gunpoint or by means of some other threat
continue to live and avoid dying
resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.
resist or confront with resistance