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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding out
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
But some Democrats are holding out hope.
—
Julia Terruso,
Time,
8 June 2026
The exec is holding out hope for the format continuing to have a life at the network with original programming.
—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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
But some Democrats are holding out hope.
—
Julia Terruso,
Time,
8 June 2026
The exec is holding out hope for the format continuing to have a life at the network with original programming.
—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out
Verb
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Su expects the industry to eventually consolidate around a handful of major players, with the rest surviving on local government subsidies or support from other backers.
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That’s because his is the rarest, with only about 50 surviving documents bearing his autograph.
Verb
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The night's special honors include the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award for Lauryn Hill and the first-ever Icon of the Year Award for Teyana Taylor, recognizing their lasting impact on music and culture.
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That might be the real secret behind Jones' lasting more than a century.
Verb
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Four bidders scrapped over the nearly eight-foot-high work, known as the Hamilton Laocoön, with a buyer new to the old masters market prevailing.
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That pragmatic approach echoes the prevailing philosophy across much of Norway's maritime cluster.
Verb
-
Both Faulstich and the couple’s son, Matt Gates, praised their father’s commitment to routine, both in keeping up the tradition of the Peachtree Road Race and life in general.
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In the sweet family snap, Mahomes posed wearing a no-fuss crossbody sling bag that’s ideal for staying hands-free — and keeping up with her and Patrick Mahomes’ three children, Sterling, Bronze, and Golden.
Verb
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Moore reposted the photo on X showing the young fan excitedly holding up his new merch.
-
The images include one showing Kuznetsov on one knee proposing to Nikolau, and Nikolau holding up her ring while looking south across the New York City skyline.
Cite this Entry
“Holding out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20out. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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