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
That’s when a park employee confronted the wayward sphere, holding out his forearms and bracing for impact.
—
Cristian Santana, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Most did, but Franco and nearly 200 others held out through the summer and into mid-fall.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
For two days, his unit and his family held out hope that Quentin was alive.
—Fiona Donovan, Vanity Fair, 30 Dec. 2025
But a series of scientific breakthroughs in 2025 holds out some hope for a greener future.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Cristian Santana, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Most did, but Franco and nearly 200 others held out through the summer and into mid-fall.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
For two days, his unit and his family held out hope that Quentin was alive.
—Fiona Donovan, Vanity Fair, 30 Dec. 2025
But a series of scientific breakthroughs in 2025 holds out some hope for a greener future.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 2026.
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