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
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Recent Examples of hold out
A lot of people are nevertheless holding out hope for a team that moved the ball at will against the Bills and Lions (and has played a schedule that can only get easier going forward).
—
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Davis, meanwhile, held out hope.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
The Union Hill Neighborhood Association’s board last week continued to hold out hope that the old buildings, either in whole or part, could be saved.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Knueppel was held out of one game early in the six-game tournament as an injury precaution, Lee said.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Davis, meanwhile, held out hope.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
The Union Hill Neighborhood Association’s board last week continued to hold out hope that the old buildings, either in whole or part, could be saved.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Knueppel was held out of one game early in the six-game tournament as an injury precaution, Lee said.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold out
Verb
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Although exact details have yet to be released, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that Hamas is expected to release all 20 surviving hostages this weekend, while Israeli forces begin withdrawing from most of Gaza.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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The death of a long-term spouse has been associated with illness and even death in the surviving partner.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their flight lasted less than a minute before crashing roughly a quarter-mile from the hospital’s helicopter pad.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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Since they’re designed to last for generations, choosing the right pan is essential when the time comes.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Kissinger visit coincided with the ending of the ban on political parties in Spain, imposed in 1939 after General Franco’s Nationalists prevailed in the Spanish Civil War.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
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The team that wins the first two games of a best-of-five series prevails 89% of the time.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20out. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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