as in to survive
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 hold out
His mom picked up, then turned to Leo, holding out the receiver.
—
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Glassberg Sands is holding out hope that frontline employees will be safe from the cull, but as more human skills are targeted for automation, there could be drastic effects on the careers of recent grads.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
The film depicts the radical derangements of power, and the kinds of enlightenment that may hold out hope (however sentimental that notion may be), even if somewhere in the distance.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
Democrats are holding out until Republicans work with them on a deal on Obamacare subsidies, which expire in December.
LIVE UPDATES: GOVERNMENT ENTERS SHUTDOWN WITH NO DEAL IN SIGHT
What is a government shutdown?
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Glassberg Sands is holding out hope that frontline employees will be safe from the cull, but as more human skills are targeted for automation, there could be drastic effects on the careers of recent grads.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
The film depicts the radical derangements of power, and the kinds of enlightenment that may hold out hope (however sentimental that notion may be), even if somewhere in the distance.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
Democrats are holding out until Republicans work with them on a deal on Obamacare subsidies, which expire in December.
LIVE UPDATES: GOVERNMENT ENTERS SHUTDOWN WITH NO DEAL IN SIGHT
What is a government shutdown?
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold out
Verb
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France’s government survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Thursday by a thin margin, giving the country a brief respite from intense political turmoil before what is expected to be another brutal battle over its budget.—
Aurelien Breeden,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The heavily scarred accident survivor is taking physical therapy for her leg wounds months after surviving the Season 1 finale crash.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The money being spent on infrastructure, which will last for many years, comes at a time when scientists say the world will shift away from fossil fuels, including natural gas.—
NPR,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
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Senter-Rankin said the residency will last until Bar Chelou opens next year.—
Jonathan Shikes,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In both nations, anger prevails for the injustices of those calling themselves saviors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
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And that, plus the game’s physicality, became the prevailing story.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20out. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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