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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Recent Examples of holds out
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
Trade deadline season always holds out some hope, as well as rampant rumor-mongering, that something big will happen and the B’s were the subject of much talk.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 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
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
Trade deadline season always holds out some hope, as well as rampant rumor-mongering, that something big will happen and the B’s were the subject of much talk.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 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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It was designed by architect Adolph Woerner, who was also behind the Village Theater on Clark Street and North Avenue that partially survives as a façade for a residential high-rise entryway.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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After a two-year renovation, though, very little of that incarnation survives.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the recording, which lasts over an hour, continues, Athena’s screams can be heard.—
Jamie Stengle,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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If a super El Niño forms in the coming months and lasts into next year, climate scientists have said that global temperatures in 2027 could spike to record-breaking highs.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
Verb
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In these situations, if the stakes for one side are existential and for the other much lower, the side with the higher stakes usually prevails.—
Fareed Zakaria,
Washington Post,
8 May 2026
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Overall, the impression prevails that journalists, at least in routine reporting, use digital tools only as a new access route to established sources.—
Florian Wintterlin,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It’s prized for sculpting a high-definition lip that holds up under the harshest red-carpet lighting.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
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Parking, Passes and the Resort Math Standard parking is $25 per day for a regular-sized car, and the lot holds up to 10,000 cars.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20out. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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