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
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Recent Examples of holding out
So whose support does Mamdani have, and who’s still holding out ahead of the November election?
—
Connor Greene, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
During the clip, the husband begins by holding out the newborn's blanket for Jax to sniff.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Sellers, meanwhile, are holding out.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The games, messy negotiation tactics and the threat of holding out from regular-season contests simply became too much of a hassle to keep around.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
But Pollania is holding out for better times.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
According to Mari, the union is simply holding out for pay and benefits on par with other Boston-area trash companies and Republic Services is refusing to bargain.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Americans hit hard by inflation and rising costs are still holding out hope for a possible stimulus check in 2025.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Connor Greene, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
During the clip, the husband begins by holding out the newborn's blanket for Jax to sniff.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Sellers, meanwhile, are holding out.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The games, messy negotiation tactics and the threat of holding out from regular-season contests simply became too much of a hassle to keep around.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
But Pollania is holding out for better times.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
According to Mari, the union is simply holding out for pay and benefits on par with other Boston-area trash companies and Republic Services is refusing to bargain.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Americans hit hard by inflation and rising costs are still holding out hope for a possible stimulus check in 2025.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out
Verb
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Soros makes a fortune on Wall Street Soros, a Hungarian native born in 1930, moved to London after surviving the Nazi occupation of his home country.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
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The service was held at Elvis Presley’s Tennessee home Graceland, and Garcia was joined by his mother and Lisa Marie’s surviving children.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just one or two sprays are enough to leave a lasting impression with longevity and sillage that envelops without overpowering.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
23 Sep. 2025
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That legacy left a lasting impression on Foster.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The $100,000 fees, along with new prevailing wage rules, may be prohibitive enough to tank the whole program.—
Patricia Lopez,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
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Security has long been the prevailing concern of both Republicans and Democrats with regard to TikTok’s ownership by China.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Not to mention keeping up with the latest trends and having to always outperform your competition.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Sep. 2025
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Not only are low-income families having a hard time keeping up with rising rents, but also those with a traditionally middle-class income are having difficulty matching rising rents in some cities.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Many financial groups continue to report that spending is largely holding up.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
16 Sep. 2025
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This opens up numerous applications, Ibrahim says, proudly holding up a vial of the yellow-brown slush in the lab.—
Sandy Ong,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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