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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold out
Kaira then spun her sister around to face Anthony, who was kneeling while holding out a ring.
—
Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Those holding out for both parties to come to terms on a deal have a couple of options to explore.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
Others only wanted to hold out for a couple of weeks.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
The rub is that mandatory gratuities, the 15% to 20% that restaurants often impose on parties of six people or more, aren’t eligible for the deduction, a disappointment to the restaurant and foodservice industry, which held out hope for a different outcome.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Those holding out for both parties to come to terms on a deal have a couple of options to explore.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
Others only wanted to hold out for a couple of weeks.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
The rub is that mandatory gratuities, the 15% to 20% that restaurants often impose on parties of six people or more, aren’t eligible for the deduction, a disappointment to the restaurant and foodservice industry, which held out hope for a different outcome.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold out
Verb
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All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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These criminal networks survive on money from drug trafficking, gold smuggling, arms and human trafficking.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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So, while some short-term effects may not last, disease prevention remains important even after some of these effects fade.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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That situation will last a few years, until Queen Creek can start transporting new groundwater from its land holdings in the Harquahala basin, where private equity firms are also buying up land, which will replace its Colorado River water.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger secured the governorship with a decisive lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, while Mikie Sherrill prevailed in New Jersey following a campaign centered on affordability and public safety.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The truth must prevail, and justice must be seen to be done.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20out. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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