HOLDING OUT Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

holding out

verb

present participle of hold out

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

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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 holding out Bad news for fans of Ted Lasso‘s original Richmond men’s team who have been holding out hope for a larger presence of the players in the show’s new incarnation. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 When the target returned, a neighbor’s security camera captured the pair quickly sitting up and holding out what appeared to be phones to photograph or record the family, according to the affidavit. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 For travelers holding out for cheaper fares, the wait could outlast the war itself. — Rio Yamat, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 Trump, in the NewsNation interview, was also asked how Iran could continue holding out under the current economic pressure. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026 Clancy’s supporters were divided, some holding out hope the Commonwealth’s highest court would intervene and others coming to accept what would end up being the inescapable conclusion. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 Now, the family of one Canton, Georgia woman is holding out hope that she will be found as rescue officials continue to search through debris left by one of the most severe natural disasters in the region. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 The state has already sued one sheriff's agency for holding out. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Rossum is holding out hope that the pair will give romance a try. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out

Verb

Christa Pike was unconscious, intubated and on a ventilator in a Nashville hospital as of Thursday evening, a day after surviving a botched execution attempt, her lawyers said in a court filing.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
On Thursday, the US Space Force said that the final two surviving Defense Support Program satellites (presumably DSP-20 and DSP-22) participated in an on-orbit maneuvering exercise in early September.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of surviving

Verb

The first five conditions describe any lasting affectionate bond, such as a close friendship.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
In a room, the large array lowered humidity from 38 to 32 percent in 15 minutes, though that is only an early result, not proof of lasting capacity.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of lasting

Verb

Some also expect that the third-quarter earnings season will confirm that strong corporate fundamentals — not prevailing outside forces — will determine where stocks go next.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
The prevailing memory from the game, though, will be Sullivan’s goal.

— Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevailing

Verb

The report also reflected that wages are not keeping up with inflation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
The record-high stock prices are helping investors feel better about their finances, or at least less bad, when Americans are generally feeling discouraged about keeping up with the fast-rising cost of living.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of keeping up

Verb

Revenue may be holding up even as calendar productivity softens, creating an important trade-off for buyers to consider.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Consumers are also doing their part, holding up better against higher fuel prices and higher tariffs than many forecast.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026