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
Still, these riders hold out hope for a revival of their champion team.
—
Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 6 May 2026
After returning to play in three games in early January, Braun was held out of games for three weeks.
—Gary Bedore
may 6, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
Another found a pilot holding out an iPad as passengers deplaned trying to squeeze out a few last pennies by asking for tips.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2026
But some experts think Iran has enough income and can store enough oil to hold out for at least several months.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 6 May 2026
After returning to play in three games in early January, Braun was held out of games for three weeks.
—Gary Bedore
may 6, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
Another found a pilot holding out an iPad as passengers deplaned trying to squeeze out a few last pennies by asking for tips.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2026
But some experts think Iran has enough income and can store enough oil to hold out for at least several months.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold out
Verb
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If jet-fuel prices don’t come down soon, other ultra-discount carriers may also be struggling to survive.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Most banana plants survive even severe freezes and can make new grow from shoots at or below the ground line.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The unlikely union lasted 10 years and the mutual admiration between the two famed figures never diminished.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
As the recording, which lasts over an hour, continues, Athena’s screams can be heard.—
Jamie Stengle,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
While not confirmed, the prevailing theory that a Tropicoqueta deluxe is on the way seems plausible.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
4 May 2026
-
Still, with this now primarily a corporate case for the defendants, and a lot of something yucky still to be flung at the docket by both sides heading towards trial, calmer heads and reputations ultimately prevailed.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20out. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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