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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of held out
Offensive line impresses Despite starting tackle Ryan Hughes and left guard Cade Bennett being held out of practice, TCU’s offensive line had a strong opening day of camp.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
Jovic had missed 11 games due to lower-back injury management, then held out by coach’s decision in his first two games cleared to return.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
This comes after the initial CBA deadline on October 31, which was extended multiple times as the WNBA players held out for a deal that would grant them an suitable percentage of the league’s revenue, along with other salary increases, perks, and protections.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
Dejounte Murray was held out to rest as part of his comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray was held out to rest as part of his comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
—Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
De’Anthony Melton and Kristaps Porzingis were both being held out of the first leg of a back-to-back.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
The outcome was not unexpected, though negotiators had held out some hope that a new contract could be reached in March.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
On a Monday in March, Dulce Delgado, a 37-year-old woman living in a tent on a hill, held out her hand.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
Jovic had missed 11 games due to lower-back injury management, then held out by coach’s decision in his first two games cleared to return.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
This comes after the initial CBA deadline on October 31, which was extended multiple times as the WNBA players held out for a deal that would grant them an suitable percentage of the league’s revenue, along with other salary increases, perks, and protections.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
Dejounte Murray was held out to rest as part of his comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray was held out to rest as part of his comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
—Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
De’Anthony Melton and Kristaps Porzingis were both being held out of the first leg of a back-to-back.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
The outcome was not unexpected, though negotiators had held out some hope that a new contract could be reached in March.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
On a Monday in March, Dulce Delgado, a 37-year-old woman living in a tent on a hill, held out her hand.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held out
Verb
-
Now many of those protesters—the ones who survived the Islamic Republic’s violent backlash—are in prison, and the city is under bombardment.—
Jason Rezaian,
New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Miami, which beat Missouri before falling Sunday to Purdue, would be facing Texas in the Sweet 16 had the Canes survived the Boilermakers.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Since the blockade, virtually everyone on the island has lost power in blackouts that, at one point, lasted 20 hours; three grids have broken down in four months; hospitals have been unable to function.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In both cases, the civilian leaders easily prevailed.—
Kori Schake,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
-
No plaintiff verdict prevailed.—
Vanity Fair,
Vanity Fair,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20out. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
