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
Trump held out hope that supposed new Iranian leadership may make concessions before the deadline of 8 pm Eastern time.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
By the time Seth finally became healthy enough to play after missing 32 games, Steph was the one who was held out due to runner’s knee.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Although Barron held out hope that the mother of two would be found alive, two weeks later Brown’s body was discovered buried in dirt under a pile of pallets at a warehouse in nearby Royersford.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
While Powell practiced Friday, guard Tyler Herro was held out due to a sore right foot, but is listed as probable for Saturday.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Redick said Thiero was held out for precautionary reasons after his knee didn’t react well to playing in a G League game then playing in Detroit two days later.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
During this 15-game stretch, Powell was held out of seven straight games due to a right groin strain and also missed one game with left calf tightness.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
By the time Seth finally became healthy enough to play after missing 32 games, Steph was the one who was held out due to runner’s knee.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Although Barron held out hope that the mother of two would be found alive, two weeks later Brown’s body was discovered buried in dirt under a pile of pallets at a warehouse in nearby Royersford.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
While Powell practiced Friday, guard Tyler Herro was held out due to a sore right foot, but is listed as probable for Saturday.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Redick said Thiero was held out for precautionary reasons after his knee didn’t react well to playing in a G League game then playing in Detroit two days later.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
During this 15-game stretch, Powell was held out of seven straight games due to a right groin strain and also missed one game with left calf tightness.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held out
Verb
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In November, a wildlife photographer out on a whale watching trip in waters off the city captured dramatic video and photos of a pod of killer whales hunting a seal that survived only by clambering onto the stern of her boat.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Thomas Jefferson launched other expeditions besides Lewis and Clark’s, and those expeditions also included enslaved people, though their names have not survived.—
Craig Fehrman,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ober lasted four innings for the second straight start, falling behind after a two-out, two-run single by Nick Fortes in the first and a two-out, run-scoring double by Ben Williamson in the fourth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Company executives worked with banking firm Citizens Bank to oversee the sale process, which lasted four to five months but fell through.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The joyfulness of Mario could easily be taken for granted, but remember, this is a character that’s prevailed for generations.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Sadie Burroughs belted a solo homer in the second and Savannah Gonzalez added an RBI double to center in the fifth as the Cougars prevailed in a rematch of their 2-1 victory in the Norco Showcase finale in Chino Hills in February.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20out. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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