eke out

verb

eked out; eking out; ekes out

transitive verb

1

: to make up for the deficiencies of : supplement

eked out his income by getting a second job

2

: to make (a supply) last by economy

Examples of eke out in a Sentence

eked out a living from the family's small farm

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent polling of the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races signals red flags for Republicans, who are hoping to eke out victories in November despite both states' Democratic leanings. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Newsom has been the most public champion for partisan redistricting to counter a similar plan in Texas, where Republicans shepherded through their Legislature a map that would redraw districts to eke out another five conservative-leaning seats to give the GOP an advantage in the 2026 midterms. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025

So in the midst of poverty imposed by the American embargo and the frequent stupidity of their own government, Cubans struggle to eke out a life. —Charles Hammer, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025

More than 2,000 miles away in Wisconsin, the Brewers eked out a 9-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, continuing their good fortune in one-run games (26-16). —Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for eke out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

eke out

verb

ˈēk-

1

a

: supplement entry 2

eked out their small income by working for neighbors

b

: to make (a supply) last by careful use

2

: to get with great difficulty

eked out a living from the poor soil of the family's farm