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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
-
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
-
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
-
After a blood-clot diagnosis last year forced him to contemplate how quickly careers — and lives — can end, Wembanyama decided to create a lasting legacy.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Every few years, usually in December, the system encounters a Dunkelflaute — an energy drought lasting a week or two, with little wind and little sun.—
Alex Pavlak,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
His view runs counter to much of the prevailing AI narrative.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pretty quickly, Matt committed to keeping up appearances.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In a story published by Politico in January, anonymous sources said that Scott, who was confirmed in his job in June, was holding up progress.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Feb. 2026
-
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 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
