as in to survive
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 hold out
Fisheries managers on rivers like the Platte still held out a little, allowing any angler to keep one trout longer than 20 inches.
—
Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
But each time, the bill has fallen short of the 60 votes needed to pass, as Democrats hold out for an agreement to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that are set to end this year.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
The team did imaging on his thumb this week, which led to Dalton being held out of practice on Wednesday.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
Complicating matters, the 30-year-old MLS newcomer was held out of the past two games, Varas disciplining him for a tantrum after the coach benched him at halftime three weeks ago in Houston.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
But each time, the bill has fallen short of the 60 votes needed to pass, as Democrats hold out for an agreement to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that are set to end this year.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
The team did imaging on his thumb this week, which led to Dalton being held out of practice on Wednesday.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
Complicating matters, the 30-year-old MLS newcomer was held out of the past two games, Varas disciplining him for a tantrum after the coach benched him at halftime three weeks ago in Houston.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold out
Verb
-
All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
These criminal networks survive on money from drug trafficking, gold smuggling, arms and human trafficking.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
So, while some short-term effects may not last, disease prevention remains important even after some of these effects fade.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
That situation will last a few years, until Queen Creek can start transporting new groundwater from its land holdings in the Harquahala basin, where private equity firms are also buying up land, which will replace its Colorado River water.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger secured the governorship with a decisive lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, while Mikie Sherrill prevailed in New Jersey following a campaign centered on affordability and public safety.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The truth must prevail, and justice must be seen to be done.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20out. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share