HOLDS OUT Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

holds out

verb

present tense third-person singular of hold out

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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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 holds out By Sophie Neiman, Contributor At a foreign exchange stall in a bustling marketplace here in Somaliland’s capital city, Abiquatar Farah proudly holds out a red banknote. — Mahbub Abdillahi, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026 Although the studio holds out hope that awards buzz could help the film have some legs as audiences discover it, critics have been divided, with Digger holding a 51 percent approval from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026 The woman pushes her sunglasses on top of her head and holds out a hand. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Havelock neither retreats to the closet nor holds out hope for resolution via vigilante justice. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds out

Verb

Whether that impression survives the season is another question entirely.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
And now another waiting game, not for the launch but whether LIV survives.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of survives

Verb

Read that provision closely and mind its deadline, because the protection only lasts for a set window.

— Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
When a clot has a clear cause, such as an injury, treatment often lasts about three months, Lombardi told Fox News Digital.

— Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of lasts

Verb

Normally, when state and federal laws conflict, the Constitution’s supremacy clause mandates that federal law prevails.

— Naomi Schalit, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
And if Raman prevails over Bass, that mayor will be someone who didn’t even want the Olympics here in the first place.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevails

Verb

Retailers now sell premium foods, specialty products and household basics under their own names, and the quality often holds up next to the big names.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2026
After much hemming and hawing, Diplo selects an orange flower to purchase and posts a video to his Instagram stories in which the man holds up his shopping bag printed with a website for his wares.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026