eking out

VERB

make something last

Synonyms

STRONGEST

get by

WEAK

barely exist be economical with be frugal with be sparing with economize on stretch out

Antonyms

WEAK

use up waste

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It may have been a narrow win, with just one of the three major indexes eking out a gain, but the Santa rally still goes into the books as a success.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 5, 2026

The Hurricanes missed yet another kick in the third quarter before eking out a 10-3 lead with under two minutes to play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

But maybe he is just eking out life with no end game.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2025

"So any joy at the fact I was still eking out a living as a musician would probably be tempered by the lack of jet packs."

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2025

He worked on other men’s boats as strenuously as his slowly healing body would let him, eking out a meager living for himself and his widowed mother.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson