hold out

/hoʊld aʊt/

/həʊld aʊt/

Other forms: held out; holding out; holds out

Definitions of hold out

1. verb

   wait uncompromisingly for something desirable
   “He held out for the dessert and did not touch the cheeses”

   type of:

   hold back, hold off, wait

   wait before acting
2. verb

   continue to live through hardship or adversity
   synonyms: endure, go, hold up, last, live, live on, survive

   be, live

   have life, be alive

   exist, live, subsist, survive

   support oneself

   types:

   hold up, hold water, stand up

   resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.

   perennate

   survive from season to season, of plants

   live out

   live out one's life; live to the end
3. verb

   stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something
   synonyms: resist, stand firm, withstand

   types:

   stand out

   be stubborn in resolution or resistance

   stand up

   refuse to back down; remain solid under criticism or attack

   outbrave

   resist bravely

   hold off

   resist and fight to a standoff

   remain firm, stand

   hold one's ground; maintain a position; be steadfast or upright

   defy, hold, hold up, withstand

   resist or confront with resistance

   brave, brave out, endure, weather

   face and withstand with courage

   type of:

   defend, fight, fight back, fight down, oppose

   fight against or resist strongly
4. verb

   thrust or extend out
   “He held out his hand”

   synonyms: exsert, extend, put out, stretch forth, stretch out

   types:

   hyperextend

   extend a joint beyond its normal range

   type of:

   gesticulate, gesture, motion

   show, express, or direct through movement
5. verb

   last and be usable
   synonyms: endure, wear

   type of:

   endure, last

   persist for a specified period of time