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 Villa is holding out hope that one day soon, either through luck or Millete having a change of heart, May’s family will find her body and be able to give it a final resting place. — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026 Their coach, Rudi Garcia, showed some tactical daring, holding out two of his more prominent players until partway through the second half, injecting some energy into the game when the starters began to flag. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026 After all the talk of the Celtics holding out for a huge package of players and picks, the smaller return was staggering. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 2 July 2026 And both got buried by ads that accused them of being bad Democrats for holding out their votes on Biden’s signature legislation. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 Still, supporters of the science bond are holding out hope. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 Shopping writer Rylee Johnston has been holding out until Prime Day to buy this dress. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 With sellers holding out for pre-rate-hike valuations and buyers unwilling to pay them, deal flow essentially froze. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 June 2026 Many buyers have already stopped holding out for a drop. — Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out

Verb

Lots of acorns one year means lots of mice the next, which gives baby ticks a greater chance of biting a mouse and surviving long enough to bite us.

— Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
After all, bills continue arriving, creditors may start reaching out and, in turn, surviving family members are often left to determine which financial obligations still need attention.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of surviving

Verb

The capital’s traditional Independence Day show had 10,000 shells lasting 18 minutes.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 July 2026
The actress and singer met Skrip by chance while the two were vacationing in Egypt, with Williams later recalling that their unexpected encounter blossomed into a lasting romance.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of lasting

Verb

The compliance system usage fee would cover enforcement of city contract provisions on contractors, including prevailing wage and living wage rules.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
These include labor regulations such as prevailing wage obligations and environmental mandates such as the requirement that all new construction include solar panels.

— Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of prevailing

Verb

But rookie Brandon Valenzuela admitted recently that he's had some trouble keeping up with the evolving celebrations.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
The authors recommended keeping up the funding, though the report didn’t elaborate on extending those initiatives.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

Definition of keeping up

Verb

While consumers and retail companies have been holding up surprisingly well through a world of trouble — from war to inflation to political uncertainty — the fashion industry is still vulnerable to shocks on Wall Street.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 July 2026
Moore reposted the photo on X showing the young fan excitedly holding up his new merch.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026