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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Recent Examples of holding out
But this was largely attributed to buyers holding out for better prices that may yet follow and the overall market remains resilient.
—
Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
So, there may be an opportunity here for buyers who were holding out for improved rates and terms.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Jones continues holding out hope for a title run.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Jan. 2026
Despite the lack of answers, Jim and Nancy remained optimistic, holding out hope for their kids' eventual discovery.
—Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
His career at Florida has centered on building muscle, but some concerns about his health still loom, which played a role in Golden holding out until late Thursday night.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Although China sales haven’t been included in Nvidia’s outlook for some time, many investors were still holding out hope that shipments could restart following some encouraging developments this summer .
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
Sometimes owners are holding out for a bigger payday.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
In the shutdown standoff, congressional Democrats are holding out for certain health care provisions, including an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
So, there may be an opportunity here for buyers who were holding out for improved rates and terms.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Jones continues holding out hope for a title run.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Jan. 2026
Despite the lack of answers, Jim and Nancy remained optimistic, holding out hope for their kids' eventual discovery.
—Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
His career at Florida has centered on building muscle, but some concerns about his health still loom, which played a role in Golden holding out until late Thursday night.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Although China sales haven’t been included in Nvidia’s outlook for some time, many investors were still holding out hope that shipments could restart following some encouraging developments this summer .
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
Sometimes owners are holding out for a bigger payday.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
In the shutdown standoff, congressional Democrats are holding out for certain health care provisions, including an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out
Verb
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Located on Glasgow’s main shopping street, Mackintosh at the Willow is the only surviving tea room designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret Macdonald.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kernodle had been stabbed so many times that her surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen initially identified her as Goncalves when questioned by police.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The declaration was adopted in Paris by the Coalition of the Willing and sets out what leaders said was a framework for lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, set in international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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The image of Gobert fumbling with the ball and having his shot attempt rim out has been a lasting one.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But there is also a prevailing confidence in Barra’s ability, at this point, to navigate anything that might come GM’s way.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
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His view runs counter to much of the prevailing AI narrative.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Grid bottlenecks hamper Indian renewables growth India’s energy grid isn’t keeping up with a surge in clean power.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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Plus, keeping up with maintenance is the best way to preserve your investment.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The White House has expressed openness to a compromise with the Democrats, who are holding up a government funding bill over the shooting.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Jan. 2026
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Videos posted on social media show protesters chanting inside the hotel and holding up signs, while refusing to leave the lobby.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20out. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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