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 The Toronto Blue Jays have been holding out for a hero, just one bat to carry an offence desperate for star production. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Rodri is getting more expensive for FC Barcelona City appears to be holding out for €80 million indeed. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Despite this, Miller has refused to drop out, holding out past the Monday deadline for Ohio Republicans to nominate a new candidate. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026 As search teams go through the rubble looking for any signs of life, the community in Queens is holding its breath and holding out hope. — Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Cleaver is holding out hope that the Missouri Supreme Court will strike down the map in the interim. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 Reddington’s opening statement addressed the slew of drugs his client was prescribed, holding out a list printed on posterboard for the jury to see. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Not every senator from a Big Ten state is holding out for the sake of one school in the conference. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026 In a video shared by Fox Sports, the father of three could be seen turning to his teenager and holding out his hand. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding out

Verb

Thieves have dealt a Sicilian museum a harrowing loss, stealing three of the five surviving devotional panels painted by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
These properties are related to the size of the few surviving terms.

— Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of surviving

Verb

Stadium worker wages Sherman said the team’s commitment also includes providing prevailing wages to the stadium operations workers, including concessions and custodial workers.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Carney was known as a diplomat who not only spoke his mind, but was unafraid to challenge prevailing assumptions.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of prevailing

Verb

In turn, keeping up with the new federal loan changes has become almost as challenging as making the payments for the borrowers who are struggling to afford their student loan debt.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Some respondents have opted to reduce their plan contributions or borrow from their 401(k)s to meet other financial goals, such as reducing debt, paying for emergency expenses or keeping up with rising living costs, according to the results.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of keeping up

Verb

The plan was announced during a rally outside the 185-unit Oglesby Towers on Wednesday morning, with some holding up copies of their rent bills.

— Megan De Mar, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Although the data don’t show how household income compares to the cost of living, SmartAsset spokesperson Toby Nelson said the numbers can show how people’s income is holding up against rising costs.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026