as in survives
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
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Recent Examples of holds out
Wilson holds out hope that federal lawmakers will amend their law to allow hemp sales to continue, though any such change faces an uphill battle.
—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Upon arrival, a staffer holds out a tray of tropical popsicles as a first touch of hospitality.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Or Gonzalez fully holds out and risks fines.
—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
No matter how many shows you guys do, his voice just holds out.
—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2026
The owner who holds out for yesterday’s pricing can discover that extended vacancy carries a cost that is far greater than a small concession would have been.
—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
The gamble that Dallas plays in this instance is if Pickens holds out from voluntary and mandatory offseason activities until a long-term deal is worked out.
—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
But seemingly by sheer willpower, Meredith holds out her hand, which sends the liquid back in the opposite direction toward Britani.
—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Here’s hoping the good weather holds out for at least a few more weeks.
—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Upon arrival, a staffer holds out a tray of tropical popsicles as a first touch of hospitality.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Or Gonzalez fully holds out and risks fines.
—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
No matter how many shows you guys do, his voice just holds out.
—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2026
The owner who holds out for yesterday’s pricing can discover that extended vacancy carries a cost that is far greater than a small concession would have been.
—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
The gamble that Dallas plays in this instance is if Pickens holds out from voluntary and mandatory offseason activities until a long-term deal is worked out.
—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
But seemingly by sheer willpower, Meredith holds out her hand, which sends the liquid back in the opposite direction toward Britani.
—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Here’s hoping the good weather holds out for at least a few more weeks.
—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds out
Verb
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The goal is to ensure that Scottish culture in South Florida not only survives but thrives for years ahead.
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Megalodon’s Body Was Built For Dominance The most immediate problem in reconstructing the megalodon is that sharks are cartilaginous fish, which means that their skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone, which rarely survives fossilization.
Verb
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For example, Jung said, if a crosswalk signal usually lasts 20 seconds, but SmartBlink predicts one pedestrian will take 34 seconds based on their first few strides, the system would automatically add 14 more seconds to the crossing signal.
-
The formula is so creamy and hydrating (it’s made with jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid), and the color payoff lasts all day long.
Verb
-
Even though the Feeneys have gotten more competitive under the junior Michel’s management, the rascal-on-the-field ethos of the original team still prevails.
-
The uncomfortable truth here is that whether anyone is keeping that eye depends on which level of government prevails, and the contest has barely begun.
Verb
-
Whether Greenspan's thesis ultimately holds up remains the subject of debate.
-
Henry Fonda gives one of his most iconic performances in a movie that holds up nearly seven decades after it was released.
Cite this Entry
“Holds out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20out. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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