HOLDING OUT Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

holding out

verb

present participle of hold out

as in surviving

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

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 holding out The emotional whiplash took physical form as fans consoled one another, holding out their hands to help up friends and strangers who crumbled to the floor at the conclusion of the tribute. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026 Bad news for fans of Ted Lasso‘s original Richmond men’s team who have been holding out hope for a larger presence of the players in the show’s new incarnation. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 When the target returned, a neighbor’s security camera captured the pair quickly sitting up and holding out what appeared to be phones to photograph or record the family, according to the affidavit. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 For travelers holding out for cheaper fares, the wait could outlast the war itself. — Rio Yamat, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 Trump, in the NewsNation interview, was also asked how Iran could continue holding out under the current economic pressure. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026 Clancy’s supporters were divided, some holding out hope the Commonwealth’s highest court would intervene and others coming to accept what would end up being the inescapable conclusion. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 Now, the family of one Canton, Georgia woman is holding out hope that she will be found as rescue officials continue to search through debris left by one of the most severe natural disasters in the region. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 The state has already sued one sheriff's agency for holding out. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out

Verb

Months later, the Austin City Council approved a $35 million settlement covering the three surviving men and Pierce’s family.

— Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Why the dome may have survived An object this large surviving reentry is not necessarily unusual.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of surviving

Verb

Eisenkot urged him to do so, arguing that military force without a diplomatic strategy could not deliver a lasting victory.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
Rasmussen gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings, his shortest start since lasting just 2 1/3 innings in a 12-4 loss to the New York Yankees on July 9.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of lasting

Verb

Although his roles were ostensibly romantic leads, Astaire had an almost radically unorthodox appeal—one that, in its urbanity, cosmopolitanism, elegance, and grace, challenged the prevailing standards for male movie stardom.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
There is not a significant maturity wall ahead of us that is an immediate threat in terms of rolling over the French debt at prevailing yields.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevailing

Verb

With more than seven million people packed into over 9,000 high-rises, efficiency is key here, and people will judge you for holding up lines, hesitating with your Octopus card, or lingering over your dim sum table while others are waiting.

— Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
The video appears to show a person near the middle of the street holding up a cellphone to record the SUV when the vehicle’s front-right corner strikes the observer, who tumbles to the ground.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026