hold water

phrase

Definition of hold waternext
as in fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval a weak explanation that doesn't hold water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 hold water Clay soils, on the other hand, hold water for longer periods and generally need less frequent irrigation. Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026 Remove stagnant water around homes and eliminate containers that might catch and hold water. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hold water.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20water. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster