as in survived
to continue to operate or to meet one's needs
we hoped our supply of firewood would hold out until power was restored luckily, the old outboard motor held out till we made it to shore
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Recent Examples of held out
Some fans held out flags of the current Islamic Republic, while others displayed lion flags from the pre-revolutionary period.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 June 2026
The experiment was run many times in several variations, and Mischel and others returned to it in longitudinal studies to see how the children who had held out for two marshmallows at age 3 fared at age 13 or 30.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Bill stutters an affirmative response that captures every man who has held out irrational hope that a woman will return to him.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026
Long-distance running was the most blatant case in point—a punishing feat of endurance that held out the promise of quantified individual success.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Joughin told Lord that entrée chef John Maynard held out his hand to help Joughin stay above water.
—Veronica Hinke, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026
His sons were even held out of school for the next few days after threats were made against his family.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Two-time Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson was held out of the Cubs' starting lineup for a second straight game.
—CBS News, 7 June 2026
Dietz was held out of Arkansas’ 9-5 opening-game victory over Missouri State Friday, in effect saving him to face host KU.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 June 2026
The experiment was run many times in several variations, and Mischel and others returned to it in longitudinal studies to see how the children who had held out for two marshmallows at age 3 fared at age 13 or 30.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Bill stutters an affirmative response that captures every man who has held out irrational hope that a woman will return to him.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026
Long-distance running was the most blatant case in point—a punishing feat of endurance that held out the promise of quantified individual success.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Joughin told Lord that entrée chef John Maynard held out his hand to help Joughin stay above water.
—Veronica Hinke, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026
His sons were even held out of school for the next few days after threats were made against his family.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Two-time Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson was held out of the Cubs' starting lineup for a second straight game.
—CBS News, 7 June 2026
Dietz was held out of Arkansas’ 9-5 opening-game victory over Missouri State Friday, in effect saving him to face host KU.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held out
Verb
-
Ryne Nelson scattered nine hits over seven efficient innings, while closer Paul Sewald survived Donovan Walton’s two-out homer in the ninth to lock down his 18th save in 19 chances.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Another hiker survived a grizzly mauling on the popular Grinnell Glacier Trail just weeks later.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Blackouts have lasted up to 20 hours a day and have restricted access to health services, transportation and education.—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
The one moment of genuine conversation between him and Jen this episode lasted about 15 seconds before dissolving, again, into tonsil hockey.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Before the yuppie era, a certain staid gentility prevailed.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
Graham Platner, the anti-Israel progressive who took Maine’s political establishment by storm this spring, has officially prevailed in his state’s Democratic Senate primary.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20out. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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