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 Rodri is getting more expensive for FC Barcelona City appears to be holding out for €80 million indeed. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Despite this, Miller has refused to drop out, holding out past the Monday deadline for Ohio Republicans to nominate a new candidate. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026 As search teams go through the rubble looking for any signs of life, the community in Queens is holding its breath and holding out hope. — Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Cleaver is holding out hope that the Missouri Supreme Court will strike down the map in the interim. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 Reddington’s opening statement addressed the slew of drugs his client was prescribed, holding out a list printed on posterboard for the jury to see. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Brissett missed most of the offseason program while holding out for a new contract. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 27 July 2026 Not every senator from a Big Ten state is holding out for the sake of one school in the conference. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026 In a video shared by Fox Sports, the father of three could be seen turning to his teenager and holding out his hand. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out

Verb

The country's remaining population still appears to hold an important reservoir of genetic diversity, representing one of the last surviving populations outside Australia.

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Soto Zea said that surviving Monday’s earthquake in Colombia after witnessing the devastation left behind in nearby Venezuela has left her feeling very nervous.

— Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of surviving

Verb

Beginning Friday, and lasting into next weekend and beyond, a pattern change will set in, bringing a September feel to the Northeast that will feature much lower humidity levels, and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.

— Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verlander spent just one season with the Giants in 2025 but left a lasting impact on Webb.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of lasting

Verb

This figure, higher than prevailing estimates, suggests more oil is reaching markets, explaining the surprisingly muted crude price spikes despite ongoing conflicts.

— David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Across three seasons of TV, six feature-length films, and multiple DVD extras, the prevailing theme is that these guys love one another.

— Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of prevailing

Verb

In turn, keeping up with the new federal loan changes has become almost as challenging as making the payments for the borrowers who are struggling to afford their student loan debt.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Some respondents have opted to reduce their plan contributions or borrow from their 401(k)s to meet other financial goals, such as reducing debt, paying for emergency expenses or keeping up with rising living costs, according to the results.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of keeping up

Verb

Although the data don’t show how household income compares to the cost of living, SmartAsset spokesperson Toby Nelson said the numbers can show how people’s income is holding up against rising costs.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
This convenience relies on the engineering holding up, though.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026